According to the ministry, the munition is fully autonomous, operating without direct human control once launched. It is designed to locate and strike its target using artificial intelligence, eliminating the need for a radio link to a control station. This feature could make it less vulnerable to electronic countermeasures.
While AI-controlled lethal weapons remain a subject of ethical debate in Western defense circles, several nations, including the U.S., continue to develop the technology. Ukraine and Russia, in particular, have been advancing AI-based targeting systems, training models using combat footage from the war in Ukraine.
Iran has a well-established drone program and has previously deployed long-range loitering munitions in attacks on shipping. It has also converted a small commercial vessel into a drone carrier for such operations. The Houthis, an Iran-backed group in Yemen, have used shore-launched drones to target merchant vessels and warships in the Red Sea. A submarine-launched version could potentially allow attacks from closer range, reducing response time for targeted ships.
Iran's defense ministry further stated that the system could be deployed from an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV), improving stealth capabilities and reducing risks for Iranian personnel. The underwater delivery device shown in the footage resembles Iran’s torpedo-shaped AUV, similar to those previously documented by U.S. forces in the Red Sea conflict.