Pentagon Officials Address Reports of Unusual Weapons, Including Alleged Dolphins, in Strait of Hormuz

Wed, 06 May 2026 07:15:00 +0200

During a Pentagon press briefing on May 5, 2026, reporters questioned Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine about unusual reports that Iran might use 'kamikaze dolphins' in the Strait of Hormuz. Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan asked about these alleged mine-carrying dolphins. Gen. Caine responded jokingly, referencing the film 'Austin Powers' with a comment about sharks with laser beams, while Hegseth denied any Iranian use of such animals but declined to confirm whether the U.S. possesses them. The original report cited by Olohan came from The Wall Street Journal, which stated that Iran might deploy previously unused weapons, including dolphins, against U.S. warships. This exchange occurred in the context of President Donald Trump's 'Project Freedom,' aimed at protecting commercial ships in the region. Trump announced a temporary pause of the mission to finalize an agreement with Iran through Pakistan. The briefing highlighted both unusual me