IRIS Makran

Al Buhaira was an Aframax-rated tanker capable of transporting about 80,000–100,000 metric tons (79,000–98,000 long tons; 88,000–110,000 short tons) of oil.[2] Her recorded length overall was 229.6 m (753 ft 3 in), and she was 217.8 m (714 ft 7 in) long between perpendiculars, with a beam of 42.0 m (137 ft 10 in). The ship had a capacity of 105,319 tonnes deadweight (DWT), while her gross tonnage (GT) was 55,909.[3]

According to H. I. Sutton, satellite imagery shows that the conversion took place at ISOICO shipyard in Bandar Abbas, where she was "rebuilt with hangar-like sheds on the deck" and painted blue-gray to be subsequently floated in November 2020, before going on sea trials between 9 and 14 December 2020.[4][5] Iranian media stated that Makran displaces 121,000 metric tons (119,000 long tons; 133,000 short tons), and put her dimensions at 228 m (748 ft) long, 42 m (137 ft 10 in) wide and 21.5 m (70 ft 6 in) tall.[6] It was suspected she was launched in late 2020 after being refitted as a sea base and underwent sea trials in December of the same year.[7] The ship is equipped with information collection and processing gear.[6]

For a flag of convenience, she flew a Liberian flag during her entire career as a tanker, her registered port being Monrovia. The registered owner of Al Buhaira was Al Buhaira International Shipping Inc, a company based in Dubai. Later she was owned by Ionian Shipping Management LLC, another Emirati company in Fujairah.[3]

On 4 March 2013, Somali pirates unsuccessfully attempted to hijack her while she was sailing in the Arabian Sea in the international waters in the vicinity of Mukalla.[8] According to a report by International Maritime Organization, "[f]our skiffs with around six persons in each skiff approached the tanker from her port bow, mid-ships and astern. A ladder and an RPG were sighted in the approaching skiffs", subsequently the master "raised the alarm, took anti-piracy measures, informed UKMTO and all non-essential crew retreated to the citadel. Onboard armed security team fired warning shots resulting in the skiffs stopping the approach at a distance of around four cables from the ship".[8]

On 12 January 2021, she was officially commissioned into the navy.[7] A day later, she participated in a missile exercise in the Gulf of Oman[9] that included carrying commandos to the ship.[6]

In June 2021, Makran and the accompanying frigate IRIS Sahand were the first Iranian naval ships to reach the Atlantic without docking in an international port, according to official Iranian sources.[10][11] Early media report incorrectly suggested they were bound for Venezuela,[12] but the ships were bound for Saint Petersburg to attend Navy Day to commemorate the 325th anniversary of the Russian Navy foundation. Makran was reported to be carrying several fast attack craft.[13]