Iran Lost All Submarines During The US Operation
- 11.03.2026, 9:49
The Iranian submarine fleet consisted of three Kilo-class submarines.
Iran's submarine fleet, long considered an important component of its naval power, suffered serious losses during Operation Epic Fury. According to U.S. military experts, the Kilo-class submarines, known by the nickname "Black Hole" because of their stealth, actually lost combat capability after the U.S. and Israeli strikes, writes 19FortyFive.
A submarine hit off Bandar Abbas
Defense expert Dr. Brent M. Eastwood analyzed the situation of the Islamic Republic of Iran's naval submarine force. He said that during the second week of the operation, the U.S. and Israel were able to establish complete air supremacy, allowing strikes against Iranian naval infrastructure.
The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kane, reported that as of March 10, 2026, at least one Iranian submarine had been struck off a pier in the city of Bandar Abbas. The boat in question is likely the IRIS Tarek, which was in dock at the time the operation began.
Black Hole Submarines Caught in Port
According to analysts and satellite imagery, all three Kilo-class submarines in Iran's service were undergoing repairs or upgrades at the start of the conflict. As a result, U.S. and Israeli forces actually caught them in ports.
Experts say the submarines were unable to take part in combat operations because of the destruction of some infrastructure and lengthy modernization. Iran's biggest submarine threat has become a virtually immobile target.
Old boats with Soviet roots
Iran acquired three Kilo-class submarines from Russia in the 1990s. They are diesel-electric submarines designed by the Soviet Rubin design bureau back in the 1970s and commissioned into the Soviet navy in the early 1980s.
The Iranian fleet includes:
IRIS Tarek (901) - commissioned in 1992;
IRIS Nukh (902) - since 1993;
IRIS Younes (903) - since 1996.
Despite their age, these submarines have gained a reputation for being quiet and undetectable, which is why they are called "black holes."
Limited Capabilities in Warfare
The Kilo-class submarines are about 73 meters long and can carry up to 18 heavy torpedoes or sea mines. Iran had hoped to use them to control the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important sea lanes.
But having only three such submarines greatly limits the navy's ability to patrol continuously and wage full-fledged underwater warfare.
Sanctions and modernization problems
A major problem for Iran has been international sanctions, which have made it difficult to repair and modernize the boats. Due to a shortage of components and technology, Iranian engineers were unable to fully upgrade the submarine fleet.
As a result, during the war, the submarines actually remained in ports and could not significantly affect the course of hostilities.
Analysts do not rule out new attacks on Iran's submarine forces. Even if the two boats remain technically serviceable, they are unlikely to be able to operate effectively under U.S. sea and air dominance.