Iran Threatens to Shutdown the Mediterranean Sea

Iran’s Covert Sea Based Drone Force Will Take Washington by Surprise

On December 23, 2023 Reuters and other news outlets reported on Iranian medias sources claiming that an Iranian Revolutionary Guards commander stated the Mediterranean Sea could be closed if crimes in Gaza did not cease (See:https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-threatens-mediterranean-closure-over-gaza-without-saying-how-2023-12-23/).  The commander was allegedly threatening the United States and other nations supporting Israel in its war against Gaza.  "They shall soon await the closure of the Mediterranean Sea, (the Strait of) Gibraltar and other waterways," Tasnim quoted Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Naqdi, coordinating commander of the Guards, as saying.  However, the threats seemed to fall on deaf ears in the West.  Not only was the threat largely dismissed, but the entire idea was also dismissed as beyond the capability of Iran.  So how seriously should we take this one may ask? Your answer is: Very Seriously.  Iran and its proxy Lebanese Hezbollah have a wide range of attack options to include anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBM), that can hit targets out to 300km.  Albeit far from shooting the full width of the Mediterranean, these anti-ship weapons pose a real threat and could indeed shut down at least portions of the Mediterranean if employed leading to massive disruptions in international shipping and trade.  However, a far more likely threat may emerge no one seems to be aware of.  Iran’s covert ship-based drone fleet.  This asymmetric answer to carrier strike groups of America just may prove to be a remarkably effective force and completely take the US planners by surprise (which based on their level of competency and arrogance, shouldn’t be hard).