Iran Deploys Small Submarines in Strait of Hormuz

A top Iranian navy commander announced that the Islamic Republic has deployed small submarines known as the "dolphins of the Persian Gulf" in the Strait of Hormuz. State media reported the vessels aim to establish an "invisible guardian" by lurking on the seabed and potentially attacking ships attempting to pass through the chokepoint.

The deployment seeks to increase disruption in the waterway through which more than one-fifth of the world's seaborne oil supplies once flowed annually. Iran has already used drones and fast attack boats to deter large oil tankers from traversing the strait.

Officials ordered the submarine action in retaliation for Operation Epic Fury. Most commercial vessels have since avoided the route. Last week the U.S. briefly launched Project Freedom, a military escort initiative for commercial ships passing through the channel, before halting the effort.

Iran then presented a counteroffer to the U.S. over the weekend that was rejected as unacceptable.

Iran operates at least 16 Ghadir-class midget submarines designed for shallow waters, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Each vessel typically carries crews of fewer than 10 sailors and can be armed with two missiles or two torpedoes.

The submarines displace just 115 tons of water, far smaller than the 6,000 tons of a Los Angeles-class attack submarine. The Strait of Hormuz reaches a maximum depth of about 100 meters, with the Persian Gulf offering similarly limited depths. These conditions complicate efforts by larger submarines to hide from sonar detection.

The smaller Ghadir-class vessels can operate more effectively in such shallow environments but carry significant drawbacks. Bloomberg News reported that the submarines are very noisy, making them easier for adversarial navies to track. These limitations reduce their effectiveness in sustained operations despite their tactical role in littoral waters.

The current maritime disruptions stem from ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump conveyed confidence that the U.S. will secure Iran's remaining enriched uranium before the conflict concludes. " The submarine deployment represents an escalation in tactics aimed at the critical oil transit route.

While the vessels add to the array of asymmetric tools already in use, their noisy signatures and mechanical problems may limit their ability to remain undetected for long periods. No immediate reports of new vessel attacks have emerged following the announcement.

" — President Trump, Tuesday (NY Post) U.S. Commercial shipping interests continue to monitor the situation closely given the waterway's strategic importance to global energy markets.