Iran does not have “mine-carrying dolphins,” says Pete Hegseth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out Iran using “kamikaze dolphins” to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz.in the midst of growing tensions between both countries. However, specialists warn that the military use of marine mammals is not a crazy concept, although historically it has been limited to support tasks and not suicide attacks.

During a Pentagon news conference, Hegseth responded wryly to recent reports suggesting Tehran could employ mine-equipped dolphins.. “I cannot confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins, but I can confirm that they do not,” he said. At his side, the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Caine, said he had not heard of such a possibility and compared the idea to “sharks with laser beams,” alluding to in-vogue culture.

The statements come after a report by The Wall Avenue Journal that cited Iranian officials noting that their country could resort to unconventional weaponry, including “mine-carrying dolphins,” to counter the US naval presence in the region.

Historical use of marine mammals in military operations

Although the notion of turning dolphins into offensive weapons is met with skepticism, experts agree that these animals have been used for decades in military operations. Since 1959, the United States Navy has maintained the Marine Mammal Program, through which it trains bottlenose dolphins and sea lions to detect mines, monitor facilities, and recover objects at sea.

According to analysts at the Rand Corporation think tank, dolphins stand out for their echolocation capacity, which allows them to identify underwater objects with a precision greater than many technological systems. During the Vietnam War, these animals were trained to detect enemy divers, and in the 2003 Iraq War they helped locate mines in the port of Umm Qasr.

Other powers have also developed similar programs. The Soviet Union trained dolphins during the Cold War, and later reports indicate that Russia resumed these capabilities after the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and the US operation

The debate on “kamikaze dolphins” occurs in a context of high tension in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil transits. Although a ceasefire officially remains in place between Washington and Tehran, recent incidents have raised international concern.

President Donald Trump announced a new mission called “Project Freedom,” aimed at escorting commercial ships and guaranteeing maritime flow. Hegseth stressed that this operation is “defensive” and separate from previous military actions, and assured that US forces will not enter Iranian territorial waters.

Still, the Pentagon confirmed that Iran has carried out multiple low-intensity attacks against vessels, while the United States has responded by sinking some Iranian boats. Both parties accuse each other of putting navigation safety at risk.

Experts point out that, beyond the existence or not of animals trained by Iran, the real challenge lies in the ability to operate with them effectively.. “It is not only if they have dolphins, but if they have developed the experience to use them,” analysts point out.

In parallel, organizations such as the ASPCA have reiterated that, although they recognize the role of animals in military work, they should not be exposed to unnecessary risks.

For now, the possibility of “kamikaze dolphins” seems closer to speculation than reality, but the episode reflects the level of uncertainty and tension in one of the most sensitive strategic points of world trade.

Keep reading:

• Russia uses trained military dolphins to protect its naval unsuitable in the Black Sea, according to satellite photos
• How the United States is trying to use aquatic wildlife to detect potential threats
• The Russian “spy whale” that appeared following ships in Norway