Iran Plans to Attack Internet Cables in Persian Gulf in Case of US-Israel Conflict

Iran has reportedly prepared a plan to attack submarine communications cables in the Persian Gulf in the event of renewed military conflict with the United States and Israel, according to two high-ranking Iranian security officials speaking on anonymous terms. The officials indicated that Tehran aims to disrupt these underwater cables and prevent their restoration, thereby extending the disruption of internet and communication services.

One of the sources warned that there would be no further tolerance for attacks on Iran, suggesting that the country could target not only the cables but also military installations, including secret facilities. The officials did not specify the methods or locations of potential attacks, but they emphasized Iran’s capability to damage the cable infrastructure.

Yadollah Javani, Deputy Chief of Political Affairs of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, had previously stated that seven major internet cables under the Strait of Ormuz could become targets. Another Iranian representative, Mohsen Rezai, warned of possible attacks on U.S.-related digital infrastructure, including data centers and artificial intelligence facilities.

Experts note that damaging several cables could disrupt internet, financial services, e-commerce, and cloud platforms. However, TeleGeography estimates that less than 1% of international communications capacity passes through the Strait of Ormuz, suggesting the global impact might be limited. Nonetheless, analysts believe Tehran’s threats are intended to exert pressure on Washington through Gulf states and American technology companies.

The U.S. State Department and the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs have not responded to requests for comment from Reuters. Life.ru previously reported that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps threatened to strike seven submarine internet cables in the Strait of Ormuz, with a member of the group, Hossein Mohebi, warning that Iran’s response would be more severe than before in the event of renewed conflict with the United States.

The situation highlights the growing tensions in the region, with Iran leveraging its strategic position to assert influence and deter potential adversaries. As the geopolitical landscape continues to shift, the potential for cyber and physical attacks on critical infrastructure remains a pressing concern.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Russian)