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The Islamic Republic responded to years of sanctions that undercut its ability to import advanced weaponry and spare parts by creating a formidable indigenous military industry. Even after most sanctions have been lifted as a result of the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iranian authorities have appeared to invest as much if not more effort in their domestic arms industry than in simply purchasing capabilities from abroad. If Iranian firmsin this case affiliated with Khatam al-Anbia, the economic wing of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)can support manufacture of the entire supply chain, then Iranian military officials need not worry about grounding or docking planes and ships for want of replacement parts.

Twenty20.com

The excerpted article from an IRGC-affiliated publication suggests that, rather than simply create depth on a few platforms, the Iranian military is rapidly increasing Iranian capabilities on a broad range of platforms. As Irans area of operations has shifted from the Persian Gulf to areas further afieldthe northern Indian Ocean, the Gulf of Aden, Red Sea, and perhaps even the Mediterraneanit has taken pains to bolster its logistical capabilities and reach. It is in this context that Irans new catamaran capability becomes important, if it works. As the excerpt notes, it can carry troops and helicopters, enabling long range operations in the ocean.

Irans new catamaran has many of the same capabilities as the HSV-2, a catamaran that the United States Navy Military Sealift Command leased in 2003. While the US Navy initially sought to utilize the HSV-2 in mine-clearing operations and as a platform for testing other equipment, she ultimately was relegated for fleet support missions before being leased to the United Arab Emirates and deployed by Abu Dhabi off the coast of Yemen. On 1 October 2016, Houthi rebels fired missiles that disabled the catamaran which ultimately was towed to Eritrea. It is doubtful that the Iranian navy could operate a ship with more efficiency or greater capability than the US Navy. Still, any platform which would allow Iran to carry its helicopters further afield will complicate the operational environment among all the littoral states of the Middle East.

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Iran building high-speed catamaran - American Enterprise Institute