Iran Eyes Mine-Dolphins vs US Ships in Hormuz Strait

Iranian officials are considering deploying dolphins equipped with naval mines to target U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to accounts from government sources, as a U.S.-led blockade continues to severely restrict the country's oil exports.

The discussions, reported on May 1, 2026, reflect growing frustration among some factions within Iran's government, who view the blockade not merely as economic pressure but as an act of war. Shipping through the strait has been disrupted since late February 2026, when military escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran began with air strikes and retaliatory missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases, Israel, and allied Gulf states. U.S. forces imposed the port blockade on Iranian waters starting April 13, creating a dual restriction on the vital waterway.

Iran acquired military-trained dolphins from Ukraine in 2000, following the transfer of a Soviet-era program originally based in Sevastopol, Crimea. Those dolphins had been trained for tasks including detecting threats, attacking divers with harpoons, and carrying explosives for potential strikes on vessels. Their current status and capabilities in Iran remain...