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Iran Vows to Target Gulf Undersea Cables if War Resumes
Senior Iranian security officials disclosed detailed plans to attack internet infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz and broader Gulf region if the US and Israel renew military strikes.
What happened
Tehran has drawn up detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Gulf if the United States and Israel attack Iran again, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters. The officials said Iran would aim to prevent repairs after any attacks to prolong disruptions to communications and internet connections. One official stated that if Iran is attacked, there would be no more "red lines" in targeting, from undersea cables to military bases including covert ones. Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs for Iran's Revolutionary Guards, said Wednesday that Iran could target seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.
The threats reflect a conviction in Iran's leadership that a renewed US military campaign would have to be met with a stronger response than before. Top security official Mohsen Rezaei warned that US-linked digital infrastructure across the Gulf, including data centres and AI facilities, could be targeted. Iranian officials have also sought to pressure Gulf governments by suggesting they should hold the United States, not Tehran, responsible for any damage to undersea cables and regional economic infrastructure.
While undersea cables carry around 99 percent of global internet traffic, analysts estimate that less than 1 percent of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz. Multiple cable cuts could slow internet services and disrupt financial transactions, e-commerce and cloud computing. However, the impact would depend on how operators rerouted traffic and the capacity available on alternative connections. Restoring connections during wartime could be difficult, experts said, and higher insurance costs and delays in obtaining permits to enter territorial waters could further complicate repairs.
These threats come as the Trump administration has warned of potential fresh strikes on Iran. On October 22, Trump told reporters that "we may do it a little bit further" against Iran, signaling possible renewed military action. Trump previously stated the US would not attack before the November 3 midterm elections, but recent statements suggest military action could resume after the vote.
Chanakya's Move
Iran's move is defensive deterrence dressed as offensive threat. By publicly detailing plans to target undersea cables—infrastructure that regional allies depend on and US companies operate—Iran seeks to raise the cost of renewed US strikes in the eyes of both Trump and Gulf governments. The strategic calculation is that fear of economic spillover will either restrain Trump or create pressure on his Gulf allies to discourage him. However, this assumes Trump's decision-making is susceptible to such pressure; his recent statements suggest he may move ahead with strikes regardless. The counter-move for the Trump administration is to either proceed with strikes anyway (treating the cable threat as a bluff or acceptable cost), or to negotiate terms that satisfy Iran's core demands before force is used again. The cable threat also gives Iran a face-saving escalation option short of direct military retaliation—it harms US interests and regional partners without directly hitting US military assets.