As tensions continue to rise in the Strait of Hormuz, recent reports about alleged “kamikaze dolphins” have reignited attention on a little-known but very real issue: the use of marine mammals in military programs.
According to international media reports, Iran may have considered unconventional underwater strategies involving trained dolphins capable of carrying explosives or naval mines. While there is currently no public evidence confirming the existence of such a program, the story has once again brought global attention to the military exploitation of marine mammals.
And despite how surreal it may sound, military dolphin programs are not science fiction.
Since 1959, the United States Navy has operated the “Marine Mammal Program,” training bottlenose dolphins and California sea lions for underwater missions including the detection of naval mines, the recovery of submerged objects, and the identification of intruders near military ports.
According to official documentation, dolphins possess one of the most advanced natural sonar systems known to science. Their extraordinary biological abilities allow them to detect objects underwater even in conditions where many modern technologies still struggle, such as murky or low-visibility waters.
These abilities have made dolphins valuable assets in military operations for decades.
The former Soviet Union also developed military marine mammal programs, training dolphins for underwater surveillance and naval activities. Reports published in the early 2000s suggested that dolphins from the former Soviet naval program in Sevastopol may have later been transferred to Iran, although no official confirmation has ever been provided.
What makes this reality especially disturbing is the nature of the animals involved.
Dolphins are highly intelligent and deeply social beings. They communicate through complex vocalizations, form strong social bonds, recognize themselves in mirrors, display advanced problem-solving abilities, and show signs of emotional awareness that continue to fascinate scientists worldwide.
Yet despite these extraordinary cognitive and emotional capacities, these animals have been incorporated into military systems and trained for operations connected to warfare and security.
OIPA ETS expresses deep concern over the exploitation of marine mammals for military purposes. Animals should never be transformed into tools of conflict or used in activities linked to war.
Beyond the headlines and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, this story highlights a broader ethical issue: humanity continues to exploit animals even in some of its most extreme and violent environments.
Dolphins belong in the ocean — not in military programs.
