How do Iranian ships hunt? The same weapon was featured in 29 of 47 attacks

Sascha Bruchmann, defense and military analysis researcher at London-based IISS, discussed the changing attack methods of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards in his review published on the Military Balance + platform on November 3, 2026.

According to Bruchmann, the US army hit the bases, port facilities, watchtowers and radars of the Iranian navy and the Revolutionary Guard Navy, especially in the attacks in July. The aim was to make it difficult for Iran to track and target ships passing through the strait. Despite this, Tehran found ways to launch attacks with more limited resources.

THE SHARE OF UAVS INCREASED

According to the records of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), there were 96 security incidents in the strait between March 1 and October 4. IISS determined that one-way attack UAVs, commonly known as kamikaze UAVs, were used in 18 of them. Traces of damage and incident accounts indicate that a further 17 attacks were most likely carried out with the same vehicles.

The analysis points to July 15 as an important turning point. Previously Iran; It used different methods such as armed patrol boats, anti-ship missiles, unmanned marine vehicles and seizure of ships. Afterwards, drone attacks and ship seizures disappeared from the records, and missile attacks decreased.

In contrast, 29 of the 47 attacks after July 15, that is, 62 percent, were identified or evaluated as kamikaze UAV attacks. In the previous 47 incidents, that number was only seven.

SMALL BOOTS ARE WATCHING, UAVS ARE HITING

According to Bruchmann, attacks are now directed at ships leaving the area, especially in the narrow southern passage of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran considers this route illegal and sees the ships of countries it does not consider friendly or neutral as targets.

In the images published in mid-October, small boats belonging to the Revolutionary Guards are seen being used for surveillance purposes. These boats report the location, speed and direction of ships; Then, approximately two to five kamikaze UAVs are sent to the target.

According to the analysis, these may consist of different versions of the Shahid-136 and the newer, jet-powered Shahid-238 models.

THEY HIT FROM THE MOST CRITICAL POINT

Attack reports state that ships are often hit from the port side, near the chimney or engine room. These areas are among the hottest spots on the ship.

IISS evaluates that some UAVs may have been aimed at the target with infrared systems that detect heat. Ukrainian intelligence also reported that an Iranian-made Shahid-136 examined in 2025 had an infrared camera and Nvidia Jetson processing card. However, this finding does not prove that the same technology was used in all attacks in Hormuz.

While most attacks resulted in limited fires, there was generally no major structural damage to the ships. IISS states that with the open source data available, it cannot be determined how accurate the UAVs' hit rate or targeting systems are.

Bruchmann's conclusion is clear: Although intense US attacks have reduced Iran's capacity, the Revolutionary Guard still has the means to disrupt commercial maritime traffic and hit ships in the Strait of Hormuz.