The U.S. blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has been ongoing for weeks now (Image: Getty)
Iran may be preparing mine-carrying dolphins for deployment to the Strait of Hormuz, a chilling new report has claimed.
The dolphins would reportedly be deployed to destroy American warships currently blockading the vital trade route, with the aim of forcing it to reopen. The strait has remained closed for months amid the ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Iran.
A fragile ceasefire is currently holding, yet some Iranian hardliners are pushing for a return to live fire, including attacks on vessels forming part of the U.S. blockade, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Such action would theoretically send oil prices surging, heaping greater pressure on President Donald Trump to reach a deal with the Islamic Republic — negotiations that have stalled as both sides dig in over what they will and will not accept.
On Thursday, Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a fresh warning to the U.S., declaring that “foreigners who commit evil belong in the depths of water.” The threat was contained within a written statement read aloud by a state television presenter.
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Khamenei has not been seen publicly since succeeding his father, slain Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed during the initial Feb. 28 strikes against Iran by Israel.
Iranian officials indicated that Tehran could deploy previously unused weapons to target U.S. warships following the near-total destruction of its navy in American strikes, rendering it largely ineffective.
Around 90% of the Iranian navy was said to have been destroyed. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to escalate tensions by severing phone cables in the Strait of Hormuz, a move that would severely disrupt global internet traffic. Submarines and even mine-carrying dolphins could also be deployed, it was warned.
Semi-official Iranian state news agency Tasnim recently published a map of undersea internet cables crossing the Strait of Hormuz, cautioning that the region’s telecommunications infrastructure could become a target.
Dolphins carrying mines could be deployed to the Strait of Hormuz to blow up U.S. ships (Image: Getty)
Iran put forward a proposal to regional mediators, offering to halt its planned attacks in the strait in return for a complete cessation of hostilities, including the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and the shelving of nuclear negotiations.
Trump, meanwhile, instructed his aides on Monday to draw up plans for an extension to the blockade, which could remain in force until Iran agrees to his nuclear demands.
“The blockade is genius, OK? The blockade has been 100% foolproof,” he told reporters later in the week, per the WSJ.
Approximately 44 commercial vessels operating on behalf of Iran have been ordered to turn back or return to port, according to U.S. Central Command. Commodities data firm Kpler reports that there is no evidence of any Iranian oil cargo breaching the U.S. blockade to reach Chinese customers or other buyers.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi recently stated that Tehran would seek ways to “neutralize restrictions” on its shipping operations.
Iran is banking on America buckling first and moving to lift its blockade of Iranian ports in order to stabilise global markets and reduce American petrol prices, while U.S. officials are anticipating Iran will instead collapse first due to the worsening economic crisis gripping the nation.