Reports from the Wall Street Journal have suggested that Iran might be engaging in unconventional warfare tactics, including the use of mine-carrying dolphins. When asked about these claims, Hegseth responded, “I cannot confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins, but I can confirm they don’t.”
While delivering this statement with a serious demeanor, Hegseth seemed to be employing a touch of humor. Adding to the lighthearted tone of the press conference, General Dan Caine made a tongue-in-cheek comment, saying with a grin, “It’s like sharks with laser beams.”
For decades, global navies, including the United States, have utilized dolphins for underwater missions that are challenging for human technology to accomplish. These marine mammals are often employed for their exceptional ability to perform tasks beneath the ocean’s surface.
At the same press conference, General Dan Caine made a wry remark.
“It’s like sharks with laser beams,” he said with a smile.
Global navies including the US have long utilised dolphins for underwater tasks for which human technology is ill-suited.
That includes identifying sea mines and other submerged objects.
But using dolphins as suicide weapons has no historical precedent.
However, in World War II, the Soviet military trained dogs equipped with explosives to run underneath German tanks.
The program was suspended after too many Soviet vehicles were destroyed by mistake.
The strategy had been announced two days earlier.
Meanwhile, think tank the Institute for the Study of War has concluded that the ceasefire has allowed Iran to rebuild its damaged military forces.
“The ceasefire has likely enabled Iran to rapidly recoup the operational setbacks that it has suffered,” a report from the think tank read.
“Iran will likely be able to launch relatively more missiles more effectively in the days after the resumption of fighting.Â
“As fighting resumes, this increase should be understood as a result of the operational pause during the ceasefire rather than a broader failure of the campaign.”
The war between the US and Iran is now in its eleventh week.
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