A Russian-built, Kilo-class diesel submarine used by Iranian navy. Photo: wiki commons.

Iran has launched its Fateh-class submarine, the largest it has ever built, into the Persian Gulf, and is building a second at the Caspian port of Bandar Anzali, according to satellite imagery seen by IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly, which is publishing the photographs later on Wednesday.

Jane’s said that at about 48 meters, the Fateh-class is bigger than the largest subs built by North Korea, which is believed to have helped Iran produce its 29-meter Ghadir midget subs. The one being built at Bandar Anzali will also be the first submarine launched in the Caspian.

“This is another step in the militarization of the hydrocarbon-rich Caspian, where Iran has yet to come to an agreement with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan regarding their territorial boundaries,” Jane’s wrote.

The defense sector weekly said that Iran may be planning to unveil the new subs on Navy Day, November 28th, marking a naval victory over Iraq in 1980.

The unveiling would come just days after a U.S.-brokered international treaty lifted economic sanctions on the regime.