War Secretary Dismisses Iran 'Kamikaze Dolphins' Claim While Dodging US Military Questions

In a recent interview, War Secretary Pete Hegseth dismissed a Wall Street Journal report alleging that Iran is developing "kamikaze dolphins" — marine mammals trained to carry out attacks against naval vessels. Hegseth called the claim "not true," pushing back against what he framed as sensationalist reporting on Tehran's military capabilities.

The Journal article had suggested that Iran's Revolutionary Guard was exploring unconventional warfare tactics, including using dolphins equipped with explosives to target enemy ships. Such claims, while alarming, have long hovered in the realm of military folklore and intelligence speculation. Hegseth's outright rejection signals a desire to quash the narrative, perhaps to avoid escalating tensions or spreading misinformation.

However, the conversation took a sharp turn when Hegseth was asked about the United States' own history with military marine mammals. The US Navy has a documented program dating back decades that trained dolphins and sea lions for underwater mine detection, object recovery, and even potential attack roles. When confronted with this, Hegseth declined to confirm or deny whether the US currently employs or is researching "kamikaze" tactics involving marine animals.

This evasiveness is telling. It exposes a double standard where Tehran’s alleged capabilities are publicly condemned or ridiculed, while American military innovation in similar domains remains shrouded in secrecy. This lack of transparency prevents public scrutiny and accountability for unconventional warfare programs that could have ethical and strategic implications.

The broader context here is the Trump administration’s pattern of selective disclosure and misinformation regarding military and intelligence matters. By dismissing Iran’s supposed dolphin program outright but leaving US practices ambiguous, Hegseth perpetuates a narrative that demonizes adversaries while shielding American actions from critical examination.

As watchdogs and the public demand clearer answers on military experimentation and adherence to international norms, officials like Hegseth must be held accountable for transparency. The truth about underwater warfare tactics, whether employed by Iran or the US, matters deeply for democratic oversight and preventing escalation in volatile regions.

We will continue to track developments and surface credible reporting that holds power to account — no matter how strange or uncomfortable the subject. Because when it comes to accountability, no clowning around is acceptable.