Despite significant losses to its traditional naval forces, Iran is increasingly relying on its fleet of small attack boats, often referred to as the “mosquito fleet,” to disrupt maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
Reports suggest that Iran may have thousands of these fast, nimble boats concealed and ready to launch coordinated assaults on merchant ships. The United States has responded by enhancing its air presence in the area, claiming that its Seahawk helicopters recently destroyed at least six small Iranian vessels.
Operating from hidden locations along the coast, Iran’s mosquito fleet has evolved into a formidable threat in the strategic waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Former President Donald Trump has asserted that the U.S. has “completely obliterated” most of Iran’s conventional navy, boasting about the destruction of submarines and several warships, and suggesting that the remainder will soon find itself at the ocean floor.
Iran’s strategy is not solely reliant on large ships or conventional naval forces to assert control over global oil shipping routes and enforce a blockade in the strait. Instead, it has developed an asymmetric naval strategy that emphasizes speed, volume, and flexibility.
According to Alex Plitsas, a former Pentagon official and fellow at the Atlantic Council, the term “mosquito fleet” aptly describes these small, fast attack boats that, while seemingly insignificant, can pose a substantial nuisance and threat to larger vessels. He noted, “They may be small, but they can certainly bite.”
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) operates this fleet, which was established in the 1980s as a means to conduct asymmetric warfare. Rather than deploying large warships, the IRGCN utilizes small, civilian-style speedboats outfitted with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades. These boats have since evolved to carry advanced weaponry, including missiles, and are often used in conjunction with mini submarines and drones.
Maritime security expert Jennifer Parker, who has observed the mosquito fleets’ activities, described their history of confrontations in the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. “They are indeed a significant threat,” she remarked, noting that these vessels typically harass merchant ships.
Parker recounted her own experience with Iranian attack boats during her service in the region in 2008, stating, “They would approach at high speeds, threateningly point their weapons, and maneuver dangerously close to our vessel.” Recently, these armed boats have been involved in aggressive actions against Indian-flagged tankers near the strait.
The rapid and multi-directional launches of these small vessels can overwhelm surveillance and defense systems, leaving merchant ships largely defenseless. Parker indicated that most commercial vessels do not carry armed guards or heavy weaponry, making them vulnerable to capture or attack.
Estimates regarding the size of the IRGCN’s mosquito fleet vary widely, with some analysts suggesting there may be hundreds or even thousands of these small boats. “The challenge in determining their exact numbers lies in the fact that many are stored in extensive bunkers hidden within the mountains,” Parker explained.
Iran’s judiciary chief, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, recently stated on X that the IRGC’s mosquito fleet, equipped with speedboats and drones, is poised to target American naval vessels from concealed positions in the region.
Adrian Blomfield, a senior foreign correspondent for The Telegraph, emphasized the ease with which the mosquito fleets can blend into the busy maritime traffic of the strait. He noted that this allows the IRGC speedboats to conduct various operations without attracting attention. “They effectively use this ‘weapon of mass disruption’ to assert control over the strait,” he said in a recent interview.
While President Trump has downplayed the capabilities of Iran’s asymmetric naval forces, stating that the U.S. does not perceive the fast attack boats as a major threat, analysts have observed a marked increase in the activity of the mosquito fleet in recent weeks.
Prior to the conflict, approximately 20% of the world’s oil passed through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s blockade of the waterway, along with the U.S. military’s closure of Iranian ports in the Gulf of Oman, has led to a surge in energy prices.
The tactic of deploying small boats from various angles in a confined area like the strait adds pressure on U.S. naval operations. Plitsas noted, “A few drones and small boats can significantly disrupt this critical waterway without needing to close it completely, creating upheaval in the markets.”
In a recent operation, U.S. Navy Seahawk helicopters targeted and destroyed six Iranian small boats as part of ongoing efforts to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the strait, according to Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command.
Iranian media, however, have disputed Trump’s claims regarding attacks on IRGC speedboats. While these small vessels pose a challenge for larger ships to defend against, Parker suggested they are susceptible to helicopter assaults.
In response to the situation, Trump announced a new initiative dubbed “Project Freedom,” aimed at facilitating the transit of stranded ships through the strait, which would involve deploying numerous aircraft from both land and sea.
