Trap mines, drones and explosive boats

The Strait of Hormuz is a major bottleneck in the global trade in crude oil. The Iranian armed forces have proven on several occasions that they can disrupt maritime traffic with simple means.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and its naval forces represent a power factor in the Middle East. For this reason, it is worth taking a look at this maritime player, which has repeatedly acted as an adversary to Germany's friends and allies in recent decades. In the media, the image of the Iranian naval forces ranges from an overpowering opponent with the ability to block the Strait of Hormuz to a "cucumber force" with a penchant for accidents and exaggerated self-promotion. An opportunity to make a sober assessment. This article presents the Iranian naval forces, with a particular focus on the options they have to fulfil their mission in times of crisis and war.