Iran’s naval strategy includes deployment of its Ghadir-class mini-submarines — small, diesel-electric vessels designed for the shallow, acoustically complex waters of the Strait of Hormuz. Built domestically and loosely based on earlier North Korean designs, these compact subs are meant to operate quietly and exploit difficult sonar conditions. While limited in range and firepower, analysts say they can impose disproportionate costs on larger navies operating in confined littoral zones, enhancing Tehran’s deterrence profile in the sensitive gulf waters.