US Claims Iran May Use "Attack Dolphins" Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

While no concrete evidence has been provided, the claim has sparked a widespread debate among international media and defense analysts regarding this unconventional military strategy. Pete Hegseth, a senior official at the U.S. Department of Defense, addressed the issue by stating that he could not confirm whether Iran possesses such suicide or offensive dolphins. Furthermore, he declined to comment on the U.S. Navy's own capabilities regarding the use of marine mammals, though he expressed personal skepticism about Iran having the technical expertise to maintain such a program.

The use of marine mammals for military purposes is not a new concept; the U.S. Navy has long operated a "Marine Mammal Program" to train dolphins and sea lions for detecting underwater mines and recovering objects. Russia has also reportedly used similar animals for harbor security. While it is known that Iran acquired some dolphins in the year 2000, defense analysts remain doubtful about whether Tehran currently manages an active military program involving these animals. Consequently, the claim of "dolphin attacks" remains a highly debated and unverified assertion in the current geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.