About that ship....(wiki)
An assessment published by Stratfor in 2014, mentions that Kharg was an essential long-distance blue-water asset for the IRIN because of her ability to extend the range of Iranian warships, adding that “[w]ithout this vessel, the small number of Iranian frigates would be unable to embark on extended deployments without consistent and frequent port visits along the way”.[10]
Eric H. Arnett, a project leader at Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), commented that Kharg could provide extra operational flexibility for the Iranian fleet and her capacity to carry large and heavy helicopters like Sikorsky SH-3 Sea King could improve the anti-submarine warfare abilities of the naval group she belonged to.[11]
Christopher Harmer of the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) found her ability to lift heavy cargo of particular interest. He argued that in view of the sanctions against Iran, Kharg was potentially ideal for safe transfer of valuable or politically sensitive assets, such as imported military equipment, gold or currency.[12] In such a scenario, Kharg would have been the vessel supported by the warship she accompanied (an escort), rather than vice versa. According to Harmer, the fact that she was a naval vessel would deter foreign navies from an attempt to prevent her operations.[12] After Kharg’s 2011 visit to Syria via the Suez Canal, U.S. Navy officer Joshua C. Himes opined that “the Kharg will raise suspicion simply due to its logistics capacity and potential to transport weapons/materiel to Iranian surrogates in the region”.
Now she is resupplying Davy Jones Locker....