Islamic Republic of Iran Navy
The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy or Iranian Navy (IRIN; Persian: نیروی دریایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران, romanized: Niroo-yē Dəryâ'i-yē Ərtēš-ē Žomhuri-yē Ēslâmi-yē Irân), officially abbreviated NEDAJA (Persian: نداجا), is the naval warfare service branch of Iran's regular military, the Islamic Republic of Iran Army (Artesh). It is one of Iran's two maritime military branches, alongside the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
| Islamic Republic of Iran Navy | |
|---|---|
| نیروی دریایی ارتش جمهوری اسلامی ایران | |
The seal of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy | |
| Founded |
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| Country | Iran |
| Branch | Navy |
| Role | Naval warfare |
| Size | 20,000 (2024 estimate) |
| Part of | Army (Artesh) |
| Garrison/HQ | Bandar Abbas |
| Nickname(s) | Persian: دریادلان, Daryādelān "Seahearts" |
| Motto(s) | Persian: راه ما، راه حسین است, Rāh-e ma, rāh-e hoseyn ast "Our Path, Is Hussain's Path" |
| Anniversaries | 28 November |
| Fleet |
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| Engagements |
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| Commanders | |
| Commander | Commodore Shahram Irani |
| Insignia | |
| Ensign | |
| Flag | |
| Jack | |
| Roundel | |
NEDAJA is charged with forming Iran's first line of defense in the Gulf of Oman, Persian Gulf and abroad. It is generally considered to be a conventional green-water navy, as it mostly operates regionally, namely in the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and northwest quarter of the Indian Ocean. The Navy aims to develop blue-water capabilities: in July 2016, it announced plans to establish a presence in the Atlantic Ocean, and as of May 2021 has sent ships into the region.
NEDAJA shares many functions and responsibilities with the IRGC Navy, with distinctions in military strategy and equipment: In contrast to the IRGC Navy, which is equipped with small fast-attack craft, the backbone of the Artesh naval inventory consists of larger surface ships, including frigates and corvettes, and submarines.
The Artesh Navy has a large fleet by the standards of the developing world, and has been described as maintaining "robust" capabilities by regional standards. Since 2019, the Navy has had several joint exercises with Russia and China, which it aims to conduct annually.