Iran Claims Large Stock of Explosive Drone Boats to Control Hormuz Shipping

Iran's military has revealed that it possesses a large fleet of suicide drone boats, which it says could be used to restrict maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical oil shipping routes.

Iranian state television recently released footage showing what officials described as an underground military facility, often referred to as a "missile city." The footage displayed tunnels filled with advanced weapons, including naval drones, anti-ship missiles and sea mines.

The development comes amid rising tensions in the region during the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Inside Iran's Underground "Missile City"

The video released by Iranian state media showed long underground tunnels packed with military equipment. These tunnels reportedly house:

• Naval drones
• Anti-ship missiles
• Sea mines

Launch platforms for maritime attacks

Some footage also showed weapons being launched during what appeared to be military exercises.

One image from the footage showed a naval drone mounted on a trailer inside a tunnel beneath a portrait of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

It remains unclear when the footage was recorded or whether the facility shown has been targeted in recent military operations.

What Are Suicide Drone Boats?

The naval drones highlighted in the footage are known as unmanned surface vehicles (USVs).

These are small remote-controlled boats designed to carry explosives. They travel either on the water surface or just below it and are programmed to crash into a target ship, causing a powerful explosion.

Such drones are relatively small and difficult to detect, making them a serious threat to large commercial vessels and naval ships.

Military experts say these weapons are becoming increasingly common in modern warfare because they are cheap to produce but capable of causing significant damage.

Recent Attacks on Oil Tankers

According to maritime authorities, similar drone boats have already been used in recent attacks on oil tankers in the Persian Gulf.

One incident occurred on March 1, when the crude oil tanker MKD VYOM, registered in the Marshall Islands, was struck about 44 nautical miles off the coast of Oman.

Britain's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency reported that an unmanned surface vehicle hit the ship just above the waterline. The attack triggered an explosion and a fire in the engine room, and one crew member was killed.

Another attack took place days later involving the Bahamas-flagged tanker Sonangol Namibe, which was anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port.
The vessel's operator said all 23 crew members survived, although the ship suffered damage. Video circulating online appeared to show a small speedboat-like object racing toward the tanker before exploding on impact.

Strategic Importance of the Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most important maritime chokepoints in the world.
Located between Iran and Oman, the narrow waterway connects the Persian Gulf to global shipping routes.

Nearly 20 percent of the world's oil supply passes through this strait every day. Because of this, any disruption in the area can have a major impact on global energy markets.
Iran has repeatedly warned that it could block oil shipments through the strait if tensions with the United States and its allies continue to escalate.

Similar Weapons Used in Other Conflicts

The use of naval drones is not unique to Iran. Similar technology has been deployed in other recent conflicts.

For example:

Ukraine has used drone boats effectively against Russian naval forces in the Black Sea.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels have used similar vessels to target shipping in the Red Sea.
These incidents highlight how unmanned naval weapons are becoming a growing concern for global maritime security.

Oil Market Fears and Global Impact

Iran's warning about restricting shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns in global energy markets.

Authorities in Iran have suggested that if the conflict continues to escalate, oil prices could potentially rise to as high as $200 per barrel.

Recent attacks on merchant vessels have already slowed maritime traffic in the region, creating uncertainty for energy supplies and international trade.

With tensions rising and new weapons being introduced into the conflict, analysts warn that the situation in the Gulf region could have serious consequences for global shipping, oil markets and geopolitical stability in the coming weeks.