An extensive Wall Street Journal investigation has uncovered a major tactical shift in Iran's smuggling operations: after years of relying on fishing boats and small civilian vessels, Tehran has begun deploying small submarines to transport weapons and military equipment to the Houthi rebels in Yemen. The report, based on sources from European governments, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, is considered credible within the international intelligence community.
For over a decade, Iran depended on fishing boats and small civilian craft to smuggle missiles, drone components, radar systems and ammunition to the Houthis. These routes worked well until military pressure and naval blockades tightened. American and Israeli strikes, alongside international coalition activity, severely disrupted the traditional smuggling networks.
Tehran's answer is asymmetric warfare in the underwater domain. According to the investigation, Iran has begun operating tiny submarines, likely the Ghadir model or similar variants adapted for shallow waters. These submarines, with small crews and the ability to dive and evade radar and conventional tracking systems, make detection extremely difficult.
