Iran's Tiny Boats Could Threaten U.S. Navy Blockade, Analysts Warn

A new U.S. naval blockade of Iran may face an unexpected challenge: swarms of small, fast Iranian attack boats. This assessment comes from Chinese analysts, despite major losses to Iran's conventional navy in recent weeks. The United States launched the blockade on Monday, following failed peace talks in Pakistan. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) formally announced the operation on Sunday. It stated that U.S. forces will stop all maritime traffic going into and out of Iranian ports. The analysts suggest that Iran's numerous small vessels could complicate blockade operations. These boats are harder to track and could attack in large groups, a tactic known as "swarming." This potential threat persists even as Iran's larger warships have suffered damage.