Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday dismissed reports that Iran possesses so-called "kamikaze dolphins" capable of attacking U.S. warships in the Strait of Hormuz. The claim emerged from a Wall Street Journal report citing Iranian officials, though Hegseth confirmed Iran does not have such weaponized marine mammals. The U.S. Navy declined to comment further, referring to Hegseth's briefing.
The discussion follows recent escalations in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical waterway for global energy trade. On Monday, the U.S. said it sank Iranian boats in the strait, while Iran attacked the United Arab Emirates. Despite an official ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, tensions remain high, with President Donald Trump announcing Project Freedom to free ships stranded in the strait since the conflict began. Hegseth characterized the mission as separate from Operation Epic Fury, the U.S.-led war against Iran that started on February 28.
The U.S. has a history of using trained dolphins and sea lions for military purposes, primarily for mine detection and neutralization. During the Iraq War, dolphins were deployed to clear mines in the Persian Gulf. However, the U.S. has not weaponized marine mammals. Gen. Dan Caine, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, joked about the idea, comparing it to the fictional "sharks with laser beams" from the Austin Powers films.
The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in the conflict, with Iran previously threatening to block shipping lanes. Fresh attacks this week have raised concerns about further economic disruptions. Hegseth emphasized that the U.S. would not enter Iranian waters or airspace to carry out Project Freedom, but warned that the ceasefire remains fragile.