1 jam yang lalu
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Why does the Strait of Hormuz remain one of the world’s most closely watched waterways? A key reason is Iran’s reported reliance on a so-called “mosquito fleet” strategy — hundreds of small, fast attack boats used to project influence over the vital oil shipping route, according to a Financial Times report on Sunday, May 10, 2026.
The strategy is a core part of Tehran’s asymmetric warfare doctrine in the Persian Gulf, designed to offset the superiority of larger naval powers.
What is Iran’s “mosquito fleet”?
According to the report, boats operated by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) are hidden in coastal bays, caves, and tunnels along southern Iran. When deployed, they operate in swarms to disrupt shipping and signal Iran’s ability to threaten traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The vessels range from lightly armed speedboats to craft equipped with short-range missiles. While not capable of directly confronting large US warships, analysts say their speed — combined with coastal missile systems and drones — is enough to increase risks for commercial shipping and insurance costs.
Joshua Tallis, an analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, said any attack in the Strait of Hormuz still poses serious risks to crews and global supply chains.
Origins of the strategy
The “mosquito fleet” concept dates back to the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, when Iran began developing small, low-cost, easily replaceable domestically produced vessels. Some newer models, including the Seraj-1, are reportedly inspired by British racing yacht designs.
Iran’s wider naval capabilities
The Financial Times reported that although the United States has damaged parts of Iran’s conventional navy in recent tensions, analysts believe Tehran’s real strength lies in its IRGC fleet, drones, and mobile missile systems used in asymmetric warfare.
The Washington Institute estimates the IRGC operates between 500 and 1,000 armed fast boats, alongside more than 1,000 naval drones and coastal missile batteries deployed along Iran’s coastline.
Despite US claims of sinking several Iranian fast boats in the Strait of Hormuz, analysts say Iran can still disrupt commercial shipping. They argue that while the US would need substantial naval deployment to fully secure the waterway, Iran can exert pressure through limited actions that still affect global energy and trade flows.
Earlier assessments cited by National Defense Magazine suggest Iran also operates around 20 Ghadir-class mini-submarines, along with thousands of fast attack craft and missile-equipped boats, forming a layered maritime threat across the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Persian Gulf.
Some vessels carry light weapons, while others are fitted with short-range missiles and supported by IRGC missile and drone systems onshore.
The Financial Times noted that this combination allows Iran to maintain sustained pressure on one of the world’s most important oil shipping lanes. Analysts expect the “mosquito fleet” strategy to remain central to Iran’s maritime posture, even as broader tensions with the United States and Israel fluctuate.
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