Iranian Naval Forces are Major Target in Operation Epic Fury Strikes

U.S. Naval Institute ^ | MARCH 2, 2026 | AARON-MATTHEW LARIOSA

[Retain Mike]

According to CENTCOM, the Iranian naval presence in the Gulf of Oman has been denied, stating that none of the 11 warships stationed east of the Strait of Hormuz before the beginning of hostilities remained in the area within the first 48 hours of Epic Fury. In the weeks leading up to the current conflict, Iranian naval forces trained alongside Chinese and Russian warships in Marine Security Belt 2026 near the Chabahar, which was also struck by U.S. forces.

The U.S. command also said the strikes have targeted Iran’s small submarine fleet, composed of numerous midget submarines and a handful of Russian Kilo-class attack boats. While it is unclear how severely the strikes impacted Tehran’s subsurface capability, several submarines were present at Bandar Abbas following an attack, according to satellite photos.

Iran has flaunted this asymmetric naval force of missile, midget submarines, naval mines and anti-ship missile batteries in its threats to shut down the Strait of Hormuz in previous years. American naval forces in the region have been geared against these swarm threats, including Hellfire-armed Seahawk helicopters aboard Abraham Lincoln. Littoral combat ships forward deployed to U.S. 5th Fleet also have the potential to equip a surface warfare mission package designed to defeat small boat and drone attacks.

Despite strikes on key regular and sectarian Iranian naval assets, the commander of the IRGC declared Monday that the country’s forces would enforce a closure of the Strait of Hormuz – threatening to open fire on any vessels attempting to transit the strategic waterway crucial to the world’s natural gas and oil network. Over the last several decades, the Iranians have built a vast inventory of sea mines designed to block the flow of crude from the Gulf States for export.

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TOPICS: Business/Economy; Military/Veterans
KEYWORDS: hormuz; iran; mines; naval

[Retain Mike]

I have been a member of the U.S. Naval Institute since the early 70’s. About annually I read an article about the feebleness of our anti-mine assets and technology. Their vast inventory of sea mines should disappear before the week is out, because I doubt we have the capability to deal with their presence. Even with compartmentalization blowing the bottom out of a loaded crude oil tanker would create an environmental disaster and close the straits.

[montag813]

Gotta take out their 20+ submarines also, which can hit a tanker just as easily as a ship or drone.

[MplsSteve]

Interesting point.

I do wonder about the anti-mines capabilities of the Gulf Cooperation Council? I’d like to think they have some ability.

Additionally, Iran still has a number of smaller speedboats that IIRC have anti-ship missile capabilities. I’d think those may be harder for us to spot (visually or on radar) when they’re out in the Persian Gulf or Straits of Hormuz.

[Skwor]

We do so many keep believing such trash. before we bombed Iran America was supposed to be the least advanced nation for drone warfare. After day one everyone saw we actually are the top.

We have known about mining the straights for decades and we are supposed to believe we stayed blind to the capacity to manage it.

Not buying it.

[iontheball]

The vitalness of maintaining the free movement through the Straits points to why Caine and his Crew are focused on immediately gaining overall air and sea control of Iran.

[UCANSEE2]

Ground penetrating radar.
Metal detectors
Underwater drones with mini torpedoes.
Drag the half-sunken Iran Naval ships back and forth.
Huge fishing nets dragged by trawlers.
Neodymium magnets , picks up 2500 pounds, sells for less than $10 on TEMU. Took me 30 minutes to pry mine off a steel I-beam.

There are all kinds of methods to find and remove underwater mines, IMHO.

[Skwor]

We have some of the best submarine detection capability in the world, if not the best. But of course, somehow, we can’t figure out mine detection.

Honestly you have to remove part of your brain to believe some of this claptrap.

[Magnum44]

Iranians...as bad as the chinese in stealing technology

[mewzilla]

On a maritime related note, from a few hours ago...

Effective IMMEDIATELY, I have ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy, traveling through the Gulf…

Be sure to read the commemts.

[T. Rustin Noone]

It is interesting that the Iranians shrink-wrap their submersibles.

[Heartlander]

https://www.anduril.com/sea/seapower

[Midwesterner53]

The Navy owes them for their capture of one of our boats and sailors several years ago using their fortified bass boats. Never forget that humiliation of America sailors being captured, no equipment thrown overboard, hands in the air. Disgraceful.

[ridesthemiles]

BUT-—WE HAVE BEEN PRACTICING ON THOSE SPEEDBOATS CARRYING DRUGS FROM S AMERICA!!!

[Larry Lucido]

midget submarines

[Bernard]

Every time I see “Epic Fury” I keep thinking that the 2nd choice for that letter combination was “Epstein Files”. Now that would provide a talking point for the objectors.

[Jonty30]

Hopefully they are the 11 strongest ships, so the rest is little more than cleanup.

[catnipman]

“threatening to open fire on any vessels attempting to transit the strategic waterway”

great ... let’s sail a flotilla of right-sized USA warships back and forth in the Straight with massive air cover and see what Iran might open fire with ...

[Retain Mike]

I was going to mention the subs also, but I decided to stick to the mines. They could operate like the British X-class, but I suspect the Iranians are not nearly as courageous as the Brits of WW II.

X-class submarine

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-class_submarine

[pepsi_junkie]

Their vast inventory of sea mines should disappear before the week is out, because I doubt we have the capability to deal with their presence.

This seems contradictory, how do they disappear if we don't have the capability to deal with them?

[Retain Mike]

They disappear, because we find the warehouses and bomb them into atoms.