A Pentagon briefing on U.S. operations in the Strait of Hormuz took an unexpected turn Tuesday when Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked about reports that Iran could deploy "kamikaze dolphins" to attack U.S. ships, prompting a denial that briefly shifted the tone of an otherwise high-stakes update on the conflict.
"I can't confirm or deny whether we have kamikaze dolphins, but I can confirm they don't," Hegseth said, responding to a question tied to recent media reports. Standing alongside him, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Dan Caine said he had not heard of the claim, adding jokingly, "You mean like sharks with laser beams?"
