Iran Develops Plan to Target Gulf Internet Cables if US-Israel Conflict Escalates

Iran has reportedly prepared plans to attack critical undersea communication cables across the Persian Gulf if the United States and Israel launch fresh military strikes against the country. The potential targets include submarine networks running beneath the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about disruptions to internet connectivity and digital infrastructure across the Middle East.

According to a Reuters report published on October 23, 2026, two senior Iranian security officials revealed that Tehran had developed detailed plans to target undersea communication networks in the event of renewed hostilities. One official said Iran could also attempt to prevent repair operations following an attack, potentially extending disruptions to internet and communication services.

The warnings come amid continuing tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel, with Tehran signalling that any renewed military campaign could trigger a broader response targeting infrastructure beyond conventional military installations.

Iran Threatens Seven Major Undersea Internet Cables

Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) official Yadollah Javani recently warned that seven major internet cables running beneath the Strait of Hormuz could become targets if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.

The warning followed similar remarks from IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebbi, who highlighted the importance of undersea communication networks and suggested that new targets could be included in a future military response.

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. Its strategic importance extends beyond global energy transportation, as submarine communication cables passing through the region support international data connectivity.

However, Iran's officials have not publicly disclosed the precise locations or operational details of the proposed attacks.

Why Undersea Cables Are Important for Global Internet Connectivity

Submarine cables are essential to the modern digital economy, carrying approximately 99% of international internet traffic, according to the International Telecommunication Union.

These fibre-optic networks connect countries and continents, supporting cloud computing, financial transactions, international communications, online shopping and digital services.

Any damage to multiple cables in the Gulf could disrupt internet connectivity across countries that depend on these routes. Businesses could experience slower network speeds, interruptions to cloud services and delays in financial transactions.

However, the worldwide impact may be more limited than the threat initially suggests. Alan Mauldin, research director at telecommunications research firm TeleGeography, told Reuters that less than 1% of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

This means that damage to cables in the waterway could have a greater regional impact than a widespread global internet outage. The actual disruption would depend on available alternative routes and the capacity of networks to redirect data traffic.

Iran's Threats Extend to Data Centres and AI Infrastructure

Iran's warnings are not limited to submarine communication networks. Senior Iranian security official Mohsen Rezaei has also warned that US-linked digital infrastructure, including data centres and artificial intelligence facilities across the Gulf, could become potential targets if military operations resume.

The threats follow Iranian strikes in March 2026 that directly hit two Amazon Web Services facilities in the United Arab Emirates and damaged infrastructure near another facility in Bahrain.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had also identified major American technology companies, including Microsoft, Google, Apple and Nvidia, as potential targets during the conflict.

These developments have raised concerns among Gulf countries, which have invested heavily in cloud computing, artificial intelligence and digital infrastructure as part of their efforts to diversify their economies beyond oil.

Repairing Damaged Cables Could Become a Major Challenge

One of the biggest concerns surrounding a potential attack is the difficulty of restoring damaged submarine networks during an active conflict.

Although specialised repair vessels can fix damaged cables, accessing the affected locations may become difficult because of military operations, maritime security risks and insurance restrictions.

Repair companies may also face delays in obtaining permission to enter territorial waters. Iran's reported intention to prevent repairs could further extend communication disruptions.

The Red Sea could represent another important vulnerability for international connectivity. According to TeleGeography, the route carries approximately 3% of global international bandwidth demand and around 10% of traffic travelling between regions. However, Iran has not publicly announced plans to target cables in the Red Sea.

Gulf Countries Explore Alternative Digital Infrastructure

Governments across the Gulf have increasingly focused on strengthening their digital infrastructure and reducing dependence on individual submarine cable routes.

Land-based fibre-optic networks offer alternative pathways for international data transmission, helping telecommunications operators redirect traffic when undersea connections are disrupted.

Major technology companies are also investing in regional connectivity. Microsoft, for instance, has announced plans to invest more than $400 million in submarine and terrestrial connectivity infrastructure across the Middle East by 2030.

While satellite internet services can support certain communication requirements, experts caution that they cannot replace submarine cables at the scale required to handle global internet traffic.

Iran's latest warnings therefore highlight the vulnerability of the digital infrastructure supporting the modern global economy. If tensions escalate into another military confrontation, damage to communication networks could create economic and technological consequences extending well beyond the immediate conflict zone.