The U.S Navy has a new plan for if Iran decides to close the Strait of Hormuz. Dolphins.

The threat of Iran closing and blocking the Strait has become probable. The strait accounts for one-fifth of America’s daily oil trade. U.S. officials have warned if Iran closes the Strait it will provoke U.S. response.  Iran could block it with mines, weapon equipped speed boats, or even anti-ship cruise missiles. Michael Connell at the Center of Naval Analysis says that is Iran does this, the U.S. will send in their mine detecting dolphins.

It has been reported the Navy has 80 bottlenose dolphins in the San Diego Bay alone that could be used. They are taught to track mines and drop acoustic transponders nearby. After the dolphins detect the mines, it is up to the Navy to destroy them.

 Animal rights groups aren’t pleased with the government’s idea to put these animals at risk. Some Marine Scientists, the Humane Society and many others who don’t agree with sending dolphins to check for mines have put together a petition and sent it to the Defense Department.

The petition states “[Since] forces regard the Navy dolphins as enemy dolphins, there might be attempts on the dolphin’s lives. There is also the risk of indiscriminate killing of wild dolphin population because any dolphin can potentially be an enemy dolphin. Also, the inherent danger a dolphin may be killed or injured in mine-hunting operations remains a very real threat…”