In a dramatic shift in modern naval warfare, a US ground-launched missile strike destroyed an Iranian submarine in March 2026 as part of Operation “Epic Fury.” The incident marks the first known use of land-based artillery to eliminate a submerged naval asset, signaling a major evolution in military strategy.
The target was a Russian-built Kilo-class Iranian submarine, likely the Tareq, stationed at the Bandar Abbas naval base near the Strait of Hormuz. The strike was carried out using a short-range ATACMS (M57A1) ballistic missile launched from a HIMARS system deployed by US forces or Marines in allied Gulf countries.
Because ATACMS relies on GPS guidance and cannot hit moving targets, the submarine was struck while docked at port. Satellite imagery confirmed the hit between March 2 and March 4, 2026.
This unprecedented strike highlights a key innovation: the use of ground-based rocket artillery—originally designed for land warfare—to destroy naval assets. It also demonstrates a growing independence of ground forces, which can now neutralize critical maritime targets without relying on air or naval support.
