Iran maintains control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz thanks to the "mosquito fleet" tactics of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to The Financial Times, the Islamic Republic has hundreds of speedboats hidden in bays, caves, and tunnels along the country's rocky southern coast, ready to launch into the strait on command.

According to the publication, many of these boats are simple, lightly armed, high-speed vessels, but there are also more sophisticated models equipped with short-range missiles. Together, this flotilla essentially provides a small force to counter the might of the US Navy. The fleet consists of inexpensive, locally produced boats that are easily replaced, as well as more sophisticated models, such as the Seraj-1 (a copy of the British Bladerunner 51 racing boat).

IRGC Naval Commander Ali Reza Tangsiri has previously stated that the "mosquito fleet" is Tehran's main hope in the fight against American aircraft carriers, which Iranians call a "graveyard" for US ships.

Experts interviewed by the FT believe the "mosquito fleet" lacks the firepower to directly harm large US warships or oil tankers. However, thanks to missiles and drones, they pose a serious threat, deterring merchant vessels from passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Farzin Nadimi of the Washington Institute estimates that the IRGC has between 500 and 1000 speedboats of various capabilities on combat alert.