Admiral Shahram Irani, commander of the naval forces of the Iranian army, said Iran has deployed domestically made light submarines in the Strait of Hormuz.
The deployment signals Iran's intent to strengthen its asymmetric naval capabilities in one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. By utilizing smaller, locally produced vessels, Tehran aims to counter perceived security threats and maintain operational control over the narrow waterway.
Irani said that these light submarines are specifically designed to match the threats present in the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2]. He said that the vessels are not only ready for operation but are currently deployed and positioned on the seabed [1, 2].
"The Iranian-made light submarines are suitable for the threats in the Strait of Hormuz," Irani said [1].
The commander said the submarines are active and capable of remaining stationary on the ocean floor to execute their missions [1, 2]. This capability allows the Iranian navy to maintain a stealthy presence in the shallow waters of the strait, a tactical advantage for monitoring and intercepting maritime traffic.
"Iranian submarines are ready for work and are deployed and settled on the seabed," Irani said [1].
This announcement comes as a demonstration of Iran's domestic defense industry. The move to utilize light submarines reflects a broader strategy of utilizing cost-effective, specialized hardware to offset the conventional naval superiority of foreign powers operating in the region [1, 2].
“"The Iranian-made light submarines are suitable for the threats in the Strait of Hormuz,"”
The deployment of seabed-capable light submarines increases the complexity of maritime surveillance for international navies in the Strait of Hormuz. Because these vessels can remain stationary and hidden on the ocean floor, they create a 'denial' environment that complicates the movement of commercial shipping and military assets, reinforcing Iran's ability to project power in its immediate coastal waters.
