Iran Shifts to Submarines for Yemen Arms Smuggling, WSJ Reports

Iran has begun using small submarines to smuggle weapons to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, marking a significant tactical shift from its previous reliance on fishing boats, according to a Wall Street Journal investigation. This new strategy, based on intelligence from European, Yemeni, and Saudi officials, is considered credible by the international intelligence community. For over a decade, Iran used small civilian vessels to transport missiles, drone components, radar, and ammunition to the Houthis, but increased military pressure and naval blockades, including actions by the U.S. and Israel, disrupted these traditional smuggling routes. In response, Tehran has adopted asymmetric warfare tactics in the underwater domain, employing miniature submarines, likely of the Ghadir class or similar shallow-water models. These submarines, operated by small crews, can dive and evade radar and conventional surveillance, making them difficult to detect. They enable the transfer of high-value cargo, such as critical components, advanced guidance systems, or weapon parts, bypassing Western satellite and maritime monitoring. The WSJ report also details a broader Iranian involvement, including the physical presence of officers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and Hezbollah on the front lines in Yemen. These officers provide real-time tactical intelligence, assist in target selection for attacks against Saudi Arabia, and offer advanced technological training. Additionally, Mahan Air flights to Houthi-controlled areas have reportedly carried officers, weapons, and drone spare parts. This support has enabled the Houthis to conduct more precise and sophisticated attacks against Saudi targets and local forces, strengthening their control over strategic areas, including Bab el-Mandeb Strait. While Tehran officially denies direct arms supply or active combat involvement, claiming its support is purely political, intelligence sources emphasize that this information, though based on solid intelligence, has not been independently and publicly verified in all details. The shift to submarines poses a direct threat to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital global trade route, signaling an escalation in Iran's proxy warfare strategy. As pressure on surface routes continues, Iran is expected to seek more creative and stealthy methods to arm its allies, posing a new challenge for international naval forces.