Iran has drawn up detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States or the Israeli occupation launches further strikes against the country, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters on October 23. The reported plans include not only attacking the cables but also preventing repairs to prolong disruptions to regional communications and digital services.
According to the officials, Tehran is considering the cables as potential targets in the event of renewed military action. One official warned that an attack on Iran would leave “no more red lines,” signalling the possibility of a broader response to any new strikes. The officials did not disclose specific operational details or identify precisely where the proposed attacks would take place.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key concern because several major undersea internet cables pass through the strategically important waterway between Iran and Oman. Iranian Revolutionary Guards official Yadollah Javani previously warned that seven major cables beneath the strait could be targeted if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.
Any damage to these systems could disrupt internet connectivity, financial transactions, e-commerce and cloud computing across parts of the Gulf. Undersea cables carry the overwhelming majority of global internet traffic, although analysts note that less than one percent of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz, meaning the wider global impact could be limited compared with the regional consequences.
Preventing repair crews from restoring damaged cables could prolong service disruptions. Repairs in a conflict zone may already be complicated by security risks, higher insurance costs and restrictions on access to territorial waters. Multiple cable cuts could further strain alternative routes, depending on the available capacity to reroute data traffic.
The reported plans come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington, with Iranian officials also warning that U.S-linked data centres and artificial intelligence infrastructure in the Gulf could become targets if hostilities resume. The threats could place additional pressure on Gulf states and international technology companies with substantial investments in the region.
The potential targeting of civilian communications infrastructure raises serious concerns about the consequences of any renewed conflict for millions of people and essential economic services. While Tehran’s reported plans appear intended to deter further U.S and Israeli occupation strikes, an attack on undersea cables could extend the impact of a military confrontation well beyond the battlefield, threatening regional connectivity and critical digital services.
