Iranian frigate Sabalan Iranian frigate Sabalan Sabalan (in Persian سبلان) is a British-made Vosper Mark V-class (or ) frigate in the Iranian Navy. Commissioned in June 1972 as part of a four-ship order, the "Sabalan" was originally named IIS "Rostam", after Rostam, a legendary hero in the Shahnameh, but was renamed after the Islamic revolution for Sabalan, the Iranian mountain. During the Iran–Iraq War, the warship became infamous for attacks against the crews of unarmed and often neutral tankers and other merchant ships. Before these attacks, "Sabalan"s captain would often board the ships and pretend to carry out a friendly inspection, sometimes even
Sabalan, Safad cisterns." Some believe Sabalan is supposed to be Zebulun, the son of Jacob, while others claim he was a "da'is" ("missionary") who joined the Druze religion and helped promote it in the region. Archaeological artifacts, namely rock-cut tombs are located near the tomb. A population list from about 1887 showed "Nebi Abu Sebalan" to have about 75 inhabitants; all Muslims. In the British Mandate period, it had a circular plan with most of its houses being closely clustered together. Because of the steep slopes that surrounded Sabalan, the village was only able to expand on its northwestern end. Although the