Tabarzin was hijacked on her maiden voyage from Cherbourg to Iran, when on 13 August 1981, approximately 15 commandos under guise of tourists aboard the rented tugboat Salazon raided the ship on territorial waters of Spain.

[3][4] The Azadegan Organization claimed responsibility for the takeover, stating that they have seized the ship "without a shot" and will use it as a "fighting unit" against the Iranian government.

[3] Following the event, the Iranian foreign ministry started diplomatic efforts to return the ship and released a statement, accusing the United States government of being responsible for the attack: It is clear that the CIA has had a hand in the operation.

[6] The next day, the hijackers handed over Tabarzin to the French in Toulon, in exchange for permission to stay in France for a group's leader and 25 of his followers.

[8] Iranian media reported that in February 2019, she took part in the naval wargame Velayat 97, firing two Qader and Qadir cruise missiles at the targets.