Fateh is an incredible submarine. As IRIN commander said It has basically the capability of a large tactical submarine but in a 600 ton submarine. Few points to note:
Admiral Khanzadi stated that Fateh submarine uses 360 degree sonar systems. Meaning instead of having just one sonar fixed in the front etc, it has multiple sonar systems scattered throughout.
He also talked about the use of smart sea mines. These mines can be controlled and guided from the Fateh from a distance. These mines are programmed to identify enemy ships based their acoustic signature and then detonate. In other words, you can plant these mines and then our own ships can be safe. He said they have a bank where they have gathered and hold these acoustic signatures of enemy vessels.
Range of Valfajr torpedo has been doubled.
Regarding Mohandes longe range Anti cruise cruise missile, he stated this missile is programable and allows it to be fired in a manner to attack the targets from positions they're not expecting, i.e from behind.
In addition to the above, Admiral Khanzadi also mentioned the fact that Fateh can lie on the seabed like a rock (presumably in ambush and within the limits of the maximum depth it can descend to - enough to reach the seafloor of the Persian Gulf), a highly complex and delicate operation unto itself and something that is beyond the reach of a Tareq (Kilo) class SSK.
So not only does the compact Fateh offer capabilities usually associated with larger tactical submarines, it also yields some of the advantages of a midget sub like Iran's own Ghadir class. With the Fateh, you basically get the best of both worlds.
Khanzadi further explained how the Fateh can operate in stealthy ways thanks to its ability to hover, allowing it to stay put within specific water currents and thermal layers that make detection by enemy assets more difficult.
This means the Fateh is a truly impressive achievement and an highly potent weapon against the naval forces of Iran's existential enemies (US regime, etc).
What's certain is that contrary to the assessment of western analysts including H. I. Sutton (perhaps not the single most biased one, yet even that author cannot help but to underestimate Iran's military strength, nor to rehash some of the usual, politically tainted cliches entertained in western mainstream discourse), who had opined that the Fateh is more of an enlargened Ghadir than a compacted Kilo, Admiral Khanzadi's remarks highlight that the Fateh is in fact pretty much a "Kilo light" in terms of capability.
A layman such as myself had guessed as much after seeing some of the sub's sophisticated modern consoles shown in the IRIB TV report that was broadcast around the time Fateh was first brought into service.
Also this comprehensive array of capabilities, which requires the integration of an important amount of relatively costly high-tech components, might explain the apparent development time and subsequent production rate of the Fateh sub in comparison to the Ghadir, invalidating speculation about quality or reliability issues.
It can't be reminded enough that this submarine is a domestic Iranian product all the way back to the initial drawing board design. Which makes the feat even more impressive. Imagine the next generation of Fateh subs, which reportedly might get equipped with AIP-type propulsion systems (as per Admiral Khanzadi in a previous interview).