No evidence for rumor of Iran deploying 'kamikaze dolphins' in Strait of Hormuz

A peculiar and rather outlandish rumor has captured the attention of social media users: the alleged plan by Iran to deploy 'kamikaze dolphins' in the Strait of Hormuz to target American vessels. While the images accompanying these claims might seem compelling at first glance, a closer examination reveals them to be either old or entirely misrepresented.

At VRT NWS, we believe in dissecting online narratives to separate fact from fiction. This particular story, which has gained traction online, lacks any credible evidence. The images circulating, often depicting dolphins in harnesses or with apparent explosive devices, have been traced back to different contexts. For instance, one widely shared image of a leaping dolphin dates back to at least 2013, associated with a gallery of US military dolphins in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Another set of images showing dolphins in harnesses was previously used as a thumbnail for a video about the US Navy's mine-detection dolphins, originating from the website 'Fluctus'.

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Iran has no kamikaze dolphins.

Adding to the debunking efforts, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth explicitly stated on May 5th that Iran does not possess kamikaze dolphins. Iran itself has responded with a degree of amusement, with the Iranian news agency Tasnim News labeling the claim 'stupid' and the Iranian representation in Hyderabad even sharing an AI-generated image to mock the story. This incident, originating from a quote attributed to Iranian officials by the Wall Street Journal suggesting Iran might use 'previously unused weapons,' including 'mine-carrying dolphins,' has been amplified and distorted across social media platforms.

From our perspective, this serves as a prime example of how easily misinformation can spread in the digital age, especially when it taps into existing geopolitical tensions. The lack of concrete evidence, coupled with dismissive responses from both Iran and the US, firmly places this story in the realm of online fabrication. It's a reminder that even the most bizarre claims can gain traction if presented with seemingly visual 'proof,' however misleading.

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domme bewering