Iran Plans to Target Gulf Internet Cables If War Resumes
Translated & summarized from Panet by baba
Two senior Iranian security officials stated that Tehran has detailed plans to target undersea communication cables in the Persian Gulf if attacked by the U.S. and Israel. One official warned that Iran would prevent repairs to prolong disruptions and that "there will be no red lines." The threats are seen as a deterrent and a way to pressure Washington by raising concerns among Gulf governments and U.S. companies about their investments. Experts suggest that while the Strait of Hormuz cables are a potential target, the Red Sea might be more significant, though Iran has not publicly indicated plans for the latter.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Iran has detailed plans to target undersea communication cables in the Persian Gulf if attacked by the U.S. and Israel.
- An Iranian official warned that Tehran would prevent cable repairs to prolong disruptions in case of an attack.
- Yadollah Javani stated Iran could target seven major internet cables under the Strait of Hormuz if attacked.
- Experts suggest the Red Sea might be a more significant target than the Strait of Hormuz for cable attacks.
- The threats are interpreted as a deterrent aimed at pressuring Washington through Gulf states and U.S. companies.
- Iran previously attacked infrastructure linked to Amazon Web Services in the UAE and Bahrain.
Two senior Iranian security officials revealed to Reuters that Tehran has developed detailed plans to target undersea communication cables in the Persian Gulf should the region face renewed attacks from the United States and Israel. These comments follow earlier warnings from Iranian officials that such cables could become targets in any future conflict if diplomatic efforts with Washington fail. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, provided few specifics on how or where Iran would carry out such attacks. However, one official stated that Iran would aim to prevent repairs after any attacks, thereby prolonging communication disruptions, including internet access. "If Iran is attacked, there will be no red lines... from undersea cables to military bases, including secret bases," the official said, warning Washington against "playing with fire" and asserting Iran's capability to easily access and destroy these cables. Yadollah Javani, Deputy Commander of the IRGC for Political Affairs, stated on Wednesday that Iran could target seven major internet cables under the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure is attacked. The International Telecommunication Union estimates that undersea cables carry approximately 99% of global internet data traffic. However, Alan Mauldin, Research Director at TeleGeography, suggested the global impact might be limited, as less than 1% of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Neither the U.S. State Department nor the Iranian Foreign Ministry responded to requests for comment, and Gulf states have not yet issued statements. Analysts interpret these potential cable attacks as reflecting Iran's conviction that any new U.S. military campaign must be met with a stronger response than before. Mohsen Rezaei, Secretary General of the Supreme National Security Council, warned this month that U.S.-linked digital infrastructure in the Gulf, including data centers and AI facilities, could be targeted. The second security official noted that Washington's Gulf allies have made substantial investments in this infrastructure and "should hold Washington, not Tehran, responsible for any damage to undersea cables." Alex Vatanka, Director of the Iran Program at the Middle East Institute in Washington, believes these threats are intended as a deterrent, aiming to pressure Washington by raising concerns among Gulf governments and U.S. companies about their investments. Vatanka added, "Tehran wants Gulf states and corporate officials to pressure (U.S. President Donald) Trump over the risks his policies pose to their investment plans." Experts anticipate that repeated cable disruptions could slow internet services, disrupt financial transactions, e-commerce, and cloud computing services. Mauldin pointed out that the actual impact would depend on how service providers reroute traffic and the availability of alternative communication methods. Experts also noted that restoring communications during wartime could be difficult, with increased insurance costs and delays in obtaining permits for territorial waters further complicating repairs. The Red Sea is considered a potentially more significant target than the Strait of Hormuz, especially with potential support from Iran's Houthi allies in Yemen, though Tehran has not publicly indicated plans for such actions there. Mauldin stated that the Red Sea carries data between Europe, East Africa, and Asia, accounting for about 3% of global demand and roughly 10% of internet traffic between these regions. Gulf governments are heavily investing in technology to diversify their economies and become AI hubs, strengthening ties with U.S. tech firms. Iran's recent drone attacks in March directly hit two Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE and damaged infrastructure near a facility in Bahrain. The IRGC has previously designated U.S. tech companies like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Nvidia as legitimate targets. Terrestrial connections can offer alternative routes for internet traffic, and Gulf states and U.S. tech companies are investing in additional infrastructure to enhance resilience, with Microsoft planning over $400 million in investments in the Middle East by 2030.
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