In a rather peculiar exchange during a recent press conference, US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth was questioned about reports from the Wall Street Journal that suggested Iran was employing unconventional warfare tactics, including the use of dolphins to carry mines. When put on the spot about whether the US Navy had developed "kamikaze dolphins," Hegseth’s response was both evasive and humorous. He quipped, "I cannot confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins, but I can confirm they don’t.”
Delivering the remark with a straight face, he appeared to be making a tongue-in-cheek statement. Adding to the light-hearted atmosphere, General Dan Caine chimed in with a whimsical comparison, likening the situation to "sharks with laser beams."
While dolphins have been effectively used by navies, including the US, for various underwater operations, such as detecting mines and other submerged threats, the notion of using them as suicide weapons is unprecedented. Historical records show no evidence of this tactic being employed.
Interestingly, parallels can be drawn to World War II, where the Soviet Union trained dogs with explosives to target German tanks. However, that initiative was terminated after too many Soviet vehicles fell victim to friendly fire.
The press conference was set against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between the US and Iran, now in its eleventh week. A recent report from the Institute for the Study of War has indicated that the current ceasefire has allowed Iran to recuperate and enhance its military capabilities. The think tank projected that when hostilities resume, Iran could launch missiles more efficiently, a consequence of the operational pause rather than a failure in their combat strategy.
Overall, the exchange between Hegseth and Caine underscored the often surreal nature of military discourse, blending humour with serious military strategies amidst a backdrop of rising geopolitical tensions.