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Time of India

How strong is Iran's Navy and can it really block the world's oil lifeline?

Amid rising tensions with the U.S., Iran threatens to close the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global oil route. Despite not being a naval superpower, Iran's navy, divided into IRIN and IRGCN, employs asymmetric warfare strategies. With diverse vessels and strategically located bases, Iran aims to defend its coastlines and disrupt enemy movements, particularly in the Strait. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Iran's Naval Power: Strength in Asymmetry Fleet Composition: Submarines, Frigates, and Drones Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Pic credit: Global Firepower Ranking IRGC Navy: The Real Threat in Hormuz Bandar Abbas: Main naval HQ and submarine production center Jask: Iran's front-line base in the Gulf of Oman Chabahar: Southern outpost with access to the Indian Ocean Bandar-e Anzali: Northern base protecting oil assets Imam Ali Base (Chabahar): Offensive and patrol operations hub Kharg Island: Guards Persian Gulf oil infrastructure Amid escalating tensions with the U.S., Iran has once again threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz—a narrow chokepoint through which nearly 20% of global oil and gas flows. The threat follows Washington's decision to support Israeli military actions against Iran, stoking fears of a broader regional conflict that could disrupt global energy has put Iran's naval power under fresh scrutiny. How capable is Iran's navy, and could it realistically block the world's most critical oil artery?According to Global Firepower's 2024 rankings, Iran's navy stands 37th among 145 countries—positioning it as a mid-tier force with regional reach. Despite lacking the scale of world naval superpowers, Iran has spent decades cultivating a strategy rooted in asymmetric warfare, indigenous technology, and geographic naval forces are divided into two main branches: The Islamic Republic of Iran Navy (IRIN) – the official naval arm with over 18,500 personnel and more than 100 vessels, including submarines, frigates, and destroyers. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy (IRGCN) – a separate and agile force focused on fast-attack crafts, mines, and hit-and-run tactics, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz. Together, these forces represent a layered defense system built since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, focused heavily on defending Iran's southern coastlines and disrupting enemy movements in nearby waters, according to the per Global Fire Power database, Iran's conventional naval fleet boasts an increasingly diverse arsenal: Destroyers & Frigates: Modern warships like Sahand, Zagros, and Zulfiqar are equipped with precision missile systems and intelligence-gathering tools. The Alvand and Moj-class frigates, some domestically built, support medium-range has 25 submarines including 3 Tareq-class (Kilo-class) diesel-electric subs for mine-laying and missile launches, 2 Fateh-class attack submarines with torpedo and missile capabilities, up to 23 Ghadir-class midget subs for shallow-water operations and special missions, and 1 Nahang-class sub for special forces transport, Euronews IRGC Navy is said to pose the real threat in the Strait of Hormuz. As per the report, it doesn't rely on large ships—it uses speed and surprise. Its fleet includes10 Houdong missile boats, 25 Peykaap II boats, 10 MK13 fast attack crafts, special units for reconnaissance, cyber warfare, and mine tactics focus on swarm attacks, sea mines, drones, and kamikaze-style speedboats, designed to overwhelm larger, slower enemy vessels—particularly in narrow chokepoints like Hormuz, the report has also reportedly strategically located naval bases to protect both its northern (Caspian Sea) and southern (Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman) fronts:Additional IRGC-specific bases, such as Sirik, Tamb al-Kubra, and Abu Musa Island, house missile defense systems and underground bunkers near the Strait of Hormuz—bolstering Iran's control over the region, claimed the report.