Fast, small, deadly: Iran’s mosquito fleet puts US Navy on edge in Hormuz

Amid the US blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is relying on a fleet of small, fast attack boats, often described as “mosquito boats”, to project power and threaten shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, even as its larger warships suffered heavy losses in recent US and Israeli strikes, a New York Times report has indicated.

Iranian warships damaged or sunk in attacks now litter naval harbours along the Persian Gulf coast. However, a shadow force operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy continues to pose a significant threat. This fleet consists of small, agile vessels designed for hit-and-run operations and forms the backbone of Iran’s asymmetric naval strategy.

These boats, along with missiles and drones launched either from them or from concealed onshore sites, have disrupted commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran had earlier vowed to shut the critical waterway until a ceasefire in Lebanon was achieved. While officials later issued mixed signals, Iran’s military eventually stated that the strait had returned to its “previous state” and remained under strict control of its armed forces.

The IRGC Navy operates independently from Iran’s regular navy and follows a guerrilla-style doctrine focused on asymmetrical warfare. Instead of engaging in conventional naval battles, it relies on surprise attacks using smaller, harder-to-detect platforms. Analysts say drones launched from mobile land-based systems have likely been responsible for multiple maritime strikes, with at least 20 vessels targeted during the conflict, according to international maritime assessments.

Despite suffering losses, including an estimated half of its fast attack boats, the IRGC Navy still maintains a large and dispersed fleet, potentially numbering in the hundreds or thousands. Many of these vessels remain hidden in fortified bases and underground facilities carved into Iran’s coastline, allowing rapid deployment.

The strategy dates back to lessons learned during the Iran-Iraq war and later conflicts involving the United States. After witnessing its inability to match US naval strength directly, Iran developed a doctrine centred on harassment and disruption rather than outright confrontation. The IRGC Navy now reportedly has around 50,000 personnel and operates across multiple sectors in the Gulf, including bases on several islands.

Initially using modified recreational boats equipped with machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades, Iran has since advanced its capabilities. It now fields specialised high-speed vessels, miniature submarines and marine drones. Some boats can reportedly exceed speeds of 100 knots, enhancing their ability to evade detection and launch rapid attacks.

While US warships carry advanced weaponry to counter such threats, commercial vessels remain highly vulnerable. Experts note that Iran has not yet tested large-scale swarm attacks in combat, but the potential remains a concern, especially in the narrow and strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The region continues to witness a tense standoff. US naval forces enforcing a blockade on Iranian shipping have largely stayed outside the strait, operating from safer distances in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Meanwhile, Iran has warned it could extend its operations to other key maritime routes, including the Red Sea.

The IRGC Navy has a long history of confrontations with US forces, including high-speed approaches to American warships and the 2016 capture of US sailors. With the addition of drone warfare, analysts say the threat has intensified, as low-cost systems can inflict significant damage on high-value targets.

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