Full Breakdown
Iran Plans to Target Gulf Undersea Cables if Conflict Resumes
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Detailed Cable-Attack Plans
Two senior Iranian security officials, speaking anonymously to Reuters, said Tehran has drawn up plans to strike undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States and Israel launch another attack. Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs for the IRGC, said Tehran could target seven major cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure were hit.
Background & Context
The threat follows a series of U.S.–Israeli strikes that began on February 28, 2026, marking the start of an eight-month war. In October 2026, IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi warned that Iran could target undersea internet cables as the United States considered further action.
Data & Statistics
- Seven major internet cables run beneath the Strait of Hormuz, according to IRGC officials.
- The International Telecommunication Union reports that undersea cables carry roughly 99 % of global internet traffic.
- TeleGeography indicates that less than 1 % of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting the global impact of any cuts.
Official Statements & Responses
Mohsen Rezaei, secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, warned that U.S.–linked data centres and AI facilities could become targets in a renewed conflict, citing American interests in the region of more than $2 trillion.
U.S. Central Command’s Admiral Brad Cooper noted that more than 3,000 commercial vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz with U.S. support in the past six months, emphasizing continued freedom of navigation.
Criticism & Opposition
Alex Vatanka, director of the Iran programme at the Middle East Institute, argued that the cable threat is intended to pressure Washington by making Gulf governments and U.S. companies fear for their investments.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In recent days, Iran’s senior security and military authorities have talked frankly about attacking internet cables at the bottom of the Persian Gulf, in the event of another aggression against Iran by the United States and Israel.” — United States, Nour News
- “We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our Gulf partners and the shipping industry,” — Admiral Brad Cooper
- “Tehran wants Gulf states and corporate executives to press (US President Donald) Trump over the risks his policies pose to their investment plans,” — Alex Vatanka
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources agree the seven cables represent a small fraction of global bandwidth, but no concrete details on locations or methods have been provided. The anonymity of the two officials leaves uncertainty about the feasibility of preventing repairs.
What’s Next
Iranian officials say any cable-attack plan would be activated only if U.S. and Israeli forces resume strikes. No date has been set, and policy responses from the United States or Gulf states remain pending.