Persistent IRGC fleet retains control of Strait of Hormuz despite six weeks of heavy conflict

Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces retain most small attack craft in the Strait of Hormuz, complicating US blockade efforts after weeks of war.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 12, 2026, 11:57 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

The Survival of Iran’s Asymmetric Naval Power

Recent assessments reveal that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has successfully preserved more than 60% of its naval fleet after six weeks of high intensity warfare with the United States and Israel. According to reports from the Wall Street Journal, the vast majority of the small speedboats and attack craft tasked with patrolling the Strait of Hormuz remain functional. This level of operational retention persists even as US President Donald Trump moves to implement a total naval blockade of the waterway following the failure of recent diplomatic efforts in Pakistan.

Tactical Advantages of Small Scale Maritime Assets

The IRGC’s continued dominance in the strait is largely attributed to the nature of its naval inventory, which prioritizes small, highly mobile vessels over traditional battleships. These craft are significantly harder to track via satellite detection due to their diminutive size, allowing them to maneuver through the narrow waterway with relative anonymity. Experts note that these speedboats are equipped for specialized roles, including the deployment of sea mines and the launching of targeted missile strikes, making them a persistent obstacle to international naval operations.

Strategic Protection via Subterranean Facilities

A critical factor in the fleet’s survival is the IRGC’s use of underground pens and fortified storage facilities to shield its assets from aerial bombardment. These hidden bays have effectively hampered US and Israeli efforts to locate and neutralize the small craft, forcing a strategic shift in strike targets. Consequently, the bulk of Western military action has been directed toward Iran’s traditional navy, which utilizes larger and more visible platforms, rather than the more elusive IRGC maritime units that maintain daily control over the strait.