Source: HI Souton
Saviz is an Iranian flagged general cargo vessel used as an offshore surveillance, command & liaison base by Iranian forces operating in the Red Sea. Analysis suggests that it is primarily deployed in support of Houthis fighting in the civil war in Yemen.
Saviz was operated as a bulk cargo carrier until recently when it was repurposed to support covert operations. It retains its cover identity as a cargo ship.
The Civil War in Yemen has presented several maritime threats in recent years,primarily from the Iranian-backed Houthi forces. They successfully attacked the UAE naval transport HVS-2 Swift with an anti-ship missile on 1st October 2016.
They also targeted US Navy warships, and the US responded with Tomahawk cruise missile strikes in October 2016. Although this likely depleted Houthi anti-ship missile capabilities, it did not entirely deter them.
On 30th Jan 2017 they rammed a Saudi frigate Al Madinah (702) with a remote controlled explosive boat. These targeted methods have been combined with untargeted mine warfare.
Read more at: http://www.hisutton.com/Saviz.html
Image source: http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=1245227