Breaking News: Iran Deploys Air Defense Systems on Disputed Gulf Islands Threatening US Military Operations in Strait of Hormuz.

On March 22, 2025, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran announced the deployment of advanced air defense missile systems—believed to be the indigenous 15th Khordad—on the contested islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa in the Persian Gulf. These islands, claimed by both Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), lie near the vital Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 88% of Persian Gulf oil exports pass. Iran's militarization of these territories marks a significant escalation in regional tensions and poses serious security implications for global maritime traffic and U.S. military operations in the region.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Iran deploys advanced air defense system on a strategic island near the Strait of Hormuz, believed to be the 15th Khordad, amid rising regional tensions. (Picture source: IRNA Iranian press agency)

The Strait of Hormuz, just 50 km (30 miles) wide at its narrowest point, remains one of the world’s most strategically important chokepoints for global energy transportation. Iran is seeking to bolster its control over this critical passage by deploying advanced air defense systems on these islands. These deployments not only strengthen Tehran’s defensive posture but also serve as a powerful geopolitical signal to regional adversaries and global powers about its resolve and capability to challenge any hostile presence near its borders.

The 15th Khordad air defense missile system, developed by the Iran Aviation Industries Organization (IAIO), is among Iran’s most advanced domestically-produced systems. It is capable of detecting, tracking, and engaging a range of aerial threats, including stealth aircraft, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs), cruise missiles, and conventional fighter jets. With a detection range of up to 150 km and an engagement range of up to 200 km using Sayyad-3 missiles, the system provides Iran with a substantial boost to its air denial capability. It can engage stealth targets from 45 kilometers and simultaneously track and engage six targets, all with a rapid deployment time of under five minutes. This makes it highly effective in countering both sudden threats and sustained aerial incursions.

Iran is significantly reinforcing its anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities by establishing these systems in such a sensitive region. This presents a major challenge to the United States and its allies, whose military and surveillance assets routinely operate in the Gulf to ensure the security of shipping lanes. The 15th Khordad’s ability to detect stealth aircraft, combined with Iran’s broader network of radar systems and older surface-to-air missile systems like the S-200, enhances Tehran’s multi-layered defense strategy. This development could restrict the operational freedom of U.S. carrier strike groups, AWACS aircraft, and other intelligence-gathering platforms, potentially blinding surveillance coverage over the Gulf and delaying preemptive threat responses.

Iran’s A2/AD build-up is part of a broader military doctrine aimed at deterring foreign intervention and preparing for asymmetric conflict. The country has steadily expanded its missile capabilities, unmanned systems, and naval assets, particularly within the IRGC Navy. This force, structured for unconventional warfare, includes fast-attack boats, midget submarines, sea mines, and armed drones capable of operating in the shallow, confined waters of the Persian Gulf. In recent months, Iran has also begun deploying armed drone-equipped warships converted from civilian vessels, significantly enhancing its maritime strike and reconnaissance capabilities.

Amid these deployments, IRGC Navy Commander Rear Admiral Alireza Tangsiri issued a stark warning to Iran’s adversaries. “If the enemies make a mistake, we will send them to the depths of hell,” he declared, emphasizing that Iranian naval and missile forces are on high alert and constantly monitoring enemy movements. Tangsiri reaffirmed that Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa are integral parts of Iranian territory and stressed Iran’s right to defend them vigorously. He also highlighted Iran’s self-sufficiency in naval armaments, signaling that the country is ready to respond swiftly and decisively to any threat.

These military developments come during heightened diplomatic tension between Tehran and Washington. Newly re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump, who began his second term in January 2025, recently sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei offering a path back to nuclear negotiations. However, the message also included a veiled threat of military action if talks were not pursued. Iran’s missile deployments and hardened rhetoric can be seen as both a rejection of coercion and a strategic show of strength intended to shape the diplomatic landscape.

The international community is closely watching the evolving situation, concerned that a miscalculation in this volatile environment could quickly escalate into armed conflict. The militarization of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran—combined with its assertive military posture—has raised alarm about the potential for disruptions in global oil supply and freedom of navigation. For the United States and its allies, these developments represent a growing strategic challenge that could reshape the security architecture of the Persian Gulf and redefine the rules of engagement in one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors.