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

[wardamneagle]

“ blowing the bottom out of a loaded crude oil tanker would create an environmental disaster and close the straits.”

And if that doesn’t work they’ll goto the Sadam playbook and destroy the land based oil fields.

[The Sons of Liberty]

Gotta take out their 20+ submarines also,...

I just hope one isn't quietly laying in wait to take a shot at one of our carriers.

[Paul R.]

In all this, it’s important to note that a closure by mines of the Strait of Hormuz KILLS most of the flow of money to Iran’s rulers, and it zots a major source of oil to China. ~90% of Iran’s oil exports were going to China. The Chinese might send minesweepers themselves...