Defense Minister Hossain Dehqan (photo) has said the new “destroyer” Iran just launched in the Caspian will be used to fight drug smuggling and terrorism in the Caspian. If there is terrorism in the Caspian, no country bordering it has ever complained of such a problem before. As for drug smuggling, for the price of the Damavand, the government could have bought a dozen or more small patrol boats that would be far more effective. The Damavand, by the way, was originally due to enter service in August 2013, but only made it this month, 18 months late.
