Story perspectives

US Denies “Kamikaze Dolphin” Threat, Rolls Out Project Freedom

5/6/2026

Left

Hegseth Denies Dolphins

Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine quipped about “sharks with laser beams” during a Pentagon briefing on the “kamikaze dolphins” claim.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States cannot confirm or deny “kamikaze dolphins,” while confirming Iran lacks them.
Polls gave President Donald Trump 66% disapproval of Iran war and 76% on $4.44-per-gallon gas.
Hegseth described Project Freedom as a mission protecting innocent commercial shipping without entering Iranian airspace.

Right

Hegseth Denies Dolphins

Pentagon officials dismissed claims that Iran is reviving a Cold War-era dolphin mine-carrying program in the Strait of Hormuz.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said he cannot confirm or deny U.S. “kamikaze dolphins” and affirmed Iran lacks them.
U.S. Navy dolphins located mines during Iraq War, using sonar to mark explosives for divers.
Iran allegedly bought Soviet-trained dolphins in 2000, but no evidence shows operational program exists today.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. Navy Marine Mammal Program, launched in 1960 and based in San Diego, first deployed bottlenose dolphins for mine detection during the Vietnam War. Scientist James Fitzgerald set up the classified lab in 1964, and by FY 2007 the Navy spent $14 million on training roughly 75 dolphins, a force that persisted into the Gulf Wars with about 70 dolphins and 30 sea lions reported in 2019.

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Hegseth Denies Dolphins

Joint Chiefs Chair Dan Caine quipped about “sharks with laser beams” during a Pentagon briefing on the “kamikaze dolphins” claim.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the United States cannot confirm or deny “kamikaze dolphins,” while confirming Iran lacks them.
Polls gave President Donald Trump 66% disapproval of Iran war and 76% on $4.44-per-gallon gas.
Hegseth described Project Freedom as a mission protecting innocent commercial shipping without entering Iranian airspace.

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