Thread by @AmirIGM

#OSINT THREAD: Heightened IRIN readiness! As of 20/07/2019, the IRIN has deployed warships to patrol the Persian Gulf & Gulf of Oman. These include 2x British built Alvand-class Frigates, 1x Iranian built Mowj-class frigate, and 1x British built Ol-class replenishment ship. 1/4

It's strange that the 33,000 ton IRIS Kharg (Ol-class) replenishment ship is missing. This ship is usually only deployed for very long range deployments and port calls, for example to East Asia or the Mediterranean. Unclear why it is missing from its mooring spot. 2/4

As of 20/07/2019, Alvand-class frigates IRIS Alvand (71) and IRIS Sabalan (73), as well as Mowj-class frigate IRIS Sahand are missing from their usual berths. Mowj-class vessel IRIS Jamaran (73) remains in its berth - white helipad just visible. 3/4

It would appear that in the increased tensions surrounding the seizing of the British oil tanker, Iran decided to put major surface warships (that normally stay in port) belonging to the IRIN (the "regular" Navy, separate from the IRGC) out on patrol. 4/4

(pic: IRIS Sahand 74)

Pics come from Google Earth and planetlabs. I got the latter from a related thread by TankerTrackers... second hand OSINT?

https://twitter.com/TankerTrackers/status/1152685884556361728

Also - British-built warships in Iranian service while Iran is on high alert having just seized a British oil tanker...

IRNA image report from a few hours ago showing I'm right at least about IRIS Sabalan (73)

irna.ir/photo/83403646…