Iran’s Silent Hunters: How ‘Midget’ Ghadir Submarines Are Fighting The War In Strait Of Hormuz

Last Updated:March 22, 2026, 13:11 IST

Iran is mainly controlling the Strait of Hormuz through Ghadir-class midget submarines: How are they dangerous? How many have been destroyed so far? News18 explains

Iran’s fleet of “midget" submarines is a primary tactical threat in the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that carries 20% of the world’s energy supply. These vessels are specifically designed for the shallow, noisy environment of the Persian Gulf, where larger conventional submarines often struggle to operate.

All you need to know.

THE ‘INVISIBLE’ FLEET: GHADIR-CLASS SUBMARINES

The backbone of this undersea threat is the Ghadir-class midget submarine:

These submarines are roughly 29 metres long and weigh only 120–150 tonnes — about one-tenth the size of a conventional attack submarine. Their small displacement and diesel-electric propulsion make them nearly “invisible" to sonar systems optimized for deeper waters.

While US nuclear submarines require significant depth, the Ghadir can operate in waters as shallow as 30 metres. They can “sit" on the seabed and wait for targets to pass above, using the high ambient noise of shipping traffic to mask their acoustic signature.

Iran is estimated to have over 20 of these vessels currently deployed, according to news reports.

Lethal armament

A “supercavitating" torpedo that travels at 220 mph (350+ km/h) by creating a bubble of air around itself, making it nearly impossible for ships to outmaneuver.

The Jask-2 missiles allow the sub to launch cruise missiles while remaining submerged, extending its strike range to 300 kilometres. Their most dangerous role is covertly laying naval mines in international shipping lanes at night, say Al Jazeera and news reports.

Combat status

Approximately 10–16 of the original 23 Ghadir subs are estimated to be operational. Many are launched from reinforced tunnels and sea-caves carved into the cliffs of Hormozgan Province, allowing them to enter the water already submerged to avoid satellite detection.

HOW MIDGET SUBMARINES MAKE HORMUZ A ‘DANGER ZONE’

Experts believe their mine-laying capability poses the greatest risk. A single Ghadir can stealthily deploy 4 to 8 naval mines directly into shipping lanes at night. Even the discovery of one mine can halt all traffic for weeks of slow, complex clearance operations.

Despite their size, they are equipped with two 533mm torpedo tubes capable of firing Hoot supercavitating torpedoes, which reportedly reach speeds of 220 mph (350+ km/h) underwater.

Recent upgrades include the Jask-2 project, which allows these mini-subs to launch underwater-fired cruise missiles with ranges up to 300 kilometres, according to analysts.

WHY IT IS AN OPERATIONAL FRICTION FOR US NAVY

For US commanders, the threat is an “operational friction" campaign rather than a traditional sea battle. The US must dedicate significant assets—including A-10 aircraft and Apache helicopters — just to monitor these elusive threats. The risk of ambush forces carrier strike groups to slow down and widen their standoff distances, hampering their ability to maintain secure operations.

By maintaining the credible ability to disrupt the Strait, Iran uses these submarines as an economic weapon, driving up global oil prices and insurance rates, says news reports.

OTHER THAN GHADIR, IRAN’S SUBMARINE ARSENAL

Fateh (Coastal)

Features: 600 tons; 35-day endurance; 100m+ depth capability and advanced sonar for the Persian Gulf.

Status: Destroyed. The lead ship was sunk at the Bandar Abbas naval base on March 3.

Kilo (Tareq) (Attack)

Features: 3,000 tons; Russian-built “Black Hole" subs. Heavy hitters, but too large for the shallowest parts of the Strait.

Status: Disabled/Sunk. US Navy reports all three are currently out of action due to targeted strikes.

Nahang (Midget)

Features: Specialised for special operations and “silent" mine-laying. Carries divers and swimmer delivery vehicles (SDVs).

Status: 1 Active. Primarily used for covert sabotage missions near shipping lanes.

Specialised Underwater Systems

Iran also employs “asymmetric" underwater tools for covert missions:

Al-Sabehat & e-Ghavasi: Small swimmer delivery vehicles (SDVs) used by naval commandos for mine-laying and reconnaissance.

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs): First displayed in 2022, these are used for autonomous reconnaissance and potentially as “suicide" drones against hull targets.

The primary risk to global shipping remains the mine-laying capability of the remaining Ghadir midget subs, which can block the Strait of Hormuz more effectively than a direct naval confrontation.

IRAN’S UNDERSEA STRATEGY

Iran’s “undersea" strategy is concentrated in three main zones:

The ‘Ambush Zone’: Submarines are positioned near the islands of Qeshm and Larak. They “sit" on the sandy seabed to wait for tankers, making them nearly impossible for sonar to distinguish from the ocean floor.

Coastal Tunnels: Many midget subs are launched from reinforced mountain pens along the Hormozgan Province coastline. These tunnels allow them to enter the water already submerged, avoiding satellite detection.

The Choke Point: Small units are deployed near the Greater and Lesser Tunbs, where the shipping lanes are narrowest, allowing them to lay mines across the entire path of traffic.

IN THE WAR SO FAR

Recent reports from the US Department of Defense and independent analysts indicate that many of Iran’s larger vessels have been targeted during Operation Epic Fury.

The US confirmed the sinking of the IRIS Fateh (Iran’s most advanced coastal submarine) near its pier at Bandar Abbas on March 3. US officials claimed on March 20 that up to 11 Iranian submarines had been destroyed, effectively neutralizing their “heavy" surface and subsurface fleet.

Despite these losses, Iran is estimated to still operate 10 to 16+ Ghadir-class midget submarines.

KEY FAQs

What are Iran’s “midget submarines"?

They are small, stealthy submarines, mainly Ghadir-class, designed for shallow waters like the Strait of Hormuz. They are hard to detect due to size and quiet engines. They can fire torpedoes and lay naval mines. They can even sit on the seabed and “hide" . They are underwater ambush weapons.

Why do they make the Strait of Hormuz dangerous?

Because they turn a narrow oil route into a hidden threat zone. The strait is shallow and crowded and detection is difficult. The submarines with mines can target oil tankers. Even fear of mines can stop shipping.

Can they really challenge powerful navies?

No. Iran uses them for “asymmetric warfare" (hit-and-disrupt). They operate in groups with mines, drones, and missiles. Their goal is to slow, confuse, and raise risk, not win a full naval war.

With agency inputs

News explainers Iran’s Silent Hunters: How ‘Midget’ Ghadir Submarines Are Fighting The War In Strait Of Hormuz

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