The Konarak entered service in 1988 and crews later overhauled the vessel about 30 years later, making it able to launch sea and anti-ship missiles. “The U.S. Navy now knows that the Iran was testing an anti-ship missile,” Mr. Ostovar said. Iran's navy fleet … The frigate, termed a destroyer in Iranian parlance, is also armed with radar-guided anti-aircraft missiles that can also be used against ships.

The Konarak support ship is a Dutch-made missile-launching warship which holds around 20 sailors, the Fars news agency said. “This wasn’t a new missile, but the test was meant to send a political message.