Iran Announces Deployment of Its Miniature Submarine Fleet and X Can't Stop Laughing

The use of miniature submarines in military conflict is nothing new. As far back as World War II, midget subs were used by Allied and Axis forces (with mixed results) by penetrating shallow waters to lay mines or otherwise disable larger ships. Because of their small sonar profile and ability to sit on shallow ocean floors, they can often go undetected. These days, while midget subs can still be effective for sabotage, they are more useful as mobile drone command stations.

And yet, somehow, we don't think the US Navy is trembling at the announcement yesterday that Iran has deployed midget subs in the Strait of Hormuz. Perhaps because part of the challenge for them will be navigating around so many other Iranian naval vessels currently sunk in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

Or maybe it's because they're just so gosh-darned cute.

Iran has deployed its Ghadir-class midget submarines in the Persian Gulf and near the Strait of Hormuz. A large number of these submarines have been deployed and given clear instructions that if any enemy ship crosses into Iran’s waters, they should immediately destroy it. These… pic.twitter.com/EaDqLd7shX
— Iran Exclusive (@24_70xu) April 13, 2026

... submarines are specifically designed to operate in shallow waters, and the United States has no counter to them.

We think it's the bravado of the announcement that's most adorable. Regardless of their utility in past or present naval conflicts, Iran's midget subs cannot 'immediately destroy' any American warships. And the claim that the US 'has no counter to them' is pretty funny, too.

Does it come with the baking soda or is that sold separately? https://t.co/0zOvUZAtyA
— EducatëdHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) April 13, 2026

Midget subs were disastrous failures in WW2. And what’s this about the USA having “no counter”?!

We have sonar, guided torpedoes, drone ships, drone subs, and a vast amount of experience in hunting, detecting, and tracking Russian & Chinese subs, which I guarantee are… https://t.co/z0ERohyWPh
— Sandy Petersen 🪔 (@SandyofCthulhu) April 14, 2026

... stealthier, faster, and better-crewed than these things.

If our hunter-killer subs and Sikorsky Seahawks can keep tabs on Akulas and Type 93 Shangs these pathetic Iranian things are laughable.

American former naval crew, sign off.

Seems like there are plenty of counters to Iran's Liliputian strategic assets.

https://t.co/DHlI5Pr8Ea pic.twitter.com/1vjMYwjT5r
— Intelschizo (@Schizointel) April 13, 2026

Shallow waters? pic.twitter.com/ca9iP3dwZ4
— James (@TheN1James) April 13, 2026

Being able to operate in shallow waters can be an advantage. It can also be ... ahem ... a decided disadvantage.

https://t.co/RVONNSYG1P pic.twitter.com/R09nuIzRGL
— Dispropaganda (@Dispropoganda) April 14, 2026

pic.twitter.com/5MJirhsKNs
— jhawk4life 🇺🇸 (@jhawk4life) April 14, 2026

They're terrifying.

Despite this sub's small size, we don't imagine they are particularly stealthy.

I think this thing makes more noise than a 55 gallon drum half filled with ball bearings and hand chimes being rolled off a cliff. https://t.co/NKhEFZbf2v
— varifrank (@varifrank) April 13, 2026

'Clang, clang, clang went the target...'

I’d be much more impressed if it was pink. IYKYK. https://t.co/AW63CQ5RZH
— Cyborg Pediatrician (@CyborgPeds) April 13, 2026

Ask, and ye shall receive.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA https://t.co/lNBRwa60RW pic.twitter.com/CANGKWX4bQ
— Estrategias Militares (@EstrateMilitar) April 13, 2026

We also think they'd look pretty good in yellow.

pic.twitter.com/LKNjNBheng
— Adam Parker (@akparker) April 13, 2026

Suffice it to say that if Iran thought this was going to make President Trump or the US military back off, well, they should probably think again. (Sound up.)