Key facts
- Iran has detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if attacked by the US and Israel.
- Iran would aim to prolong disruptions by preventing repairs after any attacks.
- Yadollah Javani said Iran could target seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if attacked.
- US-linked digital infrastructure across the Gulf could be targeted in a renewed conflict.
- Multiple cable cuts could slow internet services and disrupt financial transactions, e-commerce, and cloud computing.
Tehran has developed detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if attacked by the United States and Israel, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters. The officials indicated that Iran would aim to prolong disruptions to internet connections and communications by preventing repairs after any attacks. One official warned Washington not to 'play with fire,' stating Iran had full access to the cables and could easily destroy them. Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, said on Wednesday that Iran could target seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure came under attack. Top security official Mohsen Rezaei warned this month that US-linked digital infrastructure across the Gulf, including data centers and AI facilities, could be targeted in a renewed conflict. Analysts said multiple cable cuts could slow internet services and disrupt financial transactions, e-commerce, and cloud computing, though the global impact could be limited as less than 1% of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz.