Iran's Naval Forces: From Guerilla Warfare to a Modern Naval Strategy

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~ . Germany El UAE . France O ChlAa • South Korel 1:I 0lher Parinar! . Japan OTurkey . South Korea O Chlna . Italy O Other Panners Iran's Illain trading partners for 2006 iIllpOrtS by value Figure 1-1 Iran's Illain trading partners for 2006 exports by value The other Persian Gulf countries are also dependent on trade via the Strait of Hormuz. Exports from many ofthese countries consist primarily of crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) going to world markets. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ports of Abu Dhabi and Dubai are the busiest in the region and account for 88 percent of the UAE's GDP. Most UAE trade involves these Persian Gulfports and therefore must transit the Strait. Iraq's import 100% 90% BO% - 70% -:: 60% f- f- f- 50% f- f- f- o Import: I 40% f- f- f- • Exports 30% 20% 10% ", 'M_ Saudi Kuwoil QrI .. '" ., A~I. IIllpOrts/Exports as percentage ofGDP 100% 90% I-: r::; r- BO% f- 70% r- 60% r- 50% f- II ~ Impo": I 40% • Exports 30% 20% Percentage of value that 10% transits the Strait ofHoTIlluZ 0% .. Figure 1-2 -. ~ sOlla, Kuw" - ,~ ... 4
dependence is less than the other countries in the region; about 55 percent of its imports by value come over land from Syria, Turkey, and Jordan. Figure 1-2 (page 4) shows imports/ exports for Persian Gulf countries (other than Iran) as percentage ofGDP as well as percentage of value ofGDP that transits the Strait for those countries. The world as a whole, especially industrialized nations, would experience a serious economic impact from a sustained closure ofthe Strait ofHormuz due to greatly reduced supplies of crude oil, petroleum products, and LNG. According to Reuters, ".A.ny military action in the Strait of Hormuz in the Gulfwould knock out oil exports from OPEC's biggest producers, cut off the oil supply toJapan and South Korea, and knock the booming economies of Gulf states."l In 2007 the Strait of Hormuz accommodated outbound exports of about 16 million barrels per day of crude oil and refined petroleum products. These exports amounted to about 40 percent of all seaborne oil exports. Most of the oil exported via the Strait goes to Asia, the United States, and western Europe. An average of 15 large crude oil tankers per day transited Hormuz in 2007, as well as other Dhow typically fOlUld in the Persian Gulfregion tankers transporting petroleum products and LNG. Of note, about 19 percent of global LNG exports transited the Strait outbound from Qatar and the UAE in 2007. The importance of the Strait of Hormuz will likely continue to increase over time. In addition to the high volume of energyrelated maritime traffic, a large volume of other civilian traffic uses the Strait on a regular basis. Small local craft, known as dhows, ply these waters every day. Many transport a variety of consumer goods throughout the Persian Gulf and others are used for fishing. These craft add to the overall volume of traffic crossing the Strait of Hormuz. Oil tanker typically fOlUld in the Persian Gulfregion 1 "FACTBOX: Strait if HOTmu::;: economic q/icts if diJ"TujJtion, "RmteT.f; 7 Jan 2008. 5
Page 2 and 3: Table of Contents Chapter One: Hist
Page 4 and 5: protect its maritime cmnmerce. Howe
Page 8 and 9: Chapter Two Iranian Naval Strategy
Page 10 and 11: In 1988, a U.S. Navy ship, SAMUEL B
Page 12 and 13: «Today, the security and tranquili
Page 14 and 15: infrastructure and resources. At a
Page 16 and 17: IRGCN sIllall patrol craft Iran's a
Page 18 and 19: The IRGCN continues to set itself a
Page 20 and 21: Iranian KILO-class suhInarine Irani
Page 22 and 23: Chapter Four Operations and Readine
Page 24 and 25: An Iranian KILO-class subIllarine a
Page 26 and 27: Chapter Five Outlook Subtnarines Su
Page 28 and 29: its asymmetric tactics and numerous

Iran's Naval Forces: From Guerilla Warfare to a Modern Naval Strategy

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