Amid the escalating Iran–Israel conflict and growing tensions with the United States and Israel, Iran has intensified its military response despite suffering heavy damage from recent strikes. Maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted, creating difficulties for several countries dependent on Gulf energy supplies. Iran is reportedly targeting oil and gas tankers moving from the Persian Gulf to global markets, leaving several vessels stranded and halting supplies to multiple destinations.
According to reports, Iran has been deploying large numbers of suicide drones and explosive boats to intercept vessels passing through the vital waterway. At the same time, Tehran is said to be carrying out large-scale drone and missile attacks targeting the United States and Israel. Unmanned boats packed with explosives are reportedly being released into the Strait of Hormuz, where they rapidly approach fuel tankers and detonate on impact, causing significant damage.
In a dramatic move, the Iranian military has released a video showcasing what it described as its growing “drone army.” The footage reportedly reveals a large number of suicide drone boats and advanced naval weapons. The video is believed to have been filmed inside a secret underground military complex often referred to as Iran’s “missile city,” highlighting the country’s preparations for naval warfare.
The footage, aired on Iran’s state television network Press TV, shows long tunnels housing naval drones, anti-ship missiles and sea mines. Some scenes appear to show weapons being launched during test operations. However, it remains unclear when the footage was recorded or whether U.S. or Israeli forces have identified the location of the underground facility.
Naval drones, also known as **Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs)**, are small vessels capable of travelling on or just below the sea surface and are typically packed with explosives. These drones are designed to detonate upon reaching enemy targets such as ships or tankers. A video circulating on social media shows a small high-speed boat racing toward a tanker before colliding with it and triggering a massive explosion with thick smoke. Officials claim Iran has already used naval drones multiple times to target oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran intensified.