A report from Iran-linked media has drawn attention to a potential vulnerability in the region’s digital backbone, warning that disruptions to undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz could have wide-ranging global consequences.
According to Tasnim News Agency, the key concern lies in the dense network of submarine data cables passing through this narrow and strategically important waterway. The report cautions that any simultaneous damage to multiple major cables—whether accidental or intentional—could lead to severe internet outages across several Gulf countries.
The Strait of Hormuz, already known as a critical passage for global oil shipments, is also a major corridor for international data traffic. Important submarine cable systems such as FALCON, AAE-1, TGN-Gulf, and SEA-ME-WE run through or near this region, carrying vast amounts of internet data that support banking operations, cloud services, government communications, and everyday connectivity across the Middle East.
Countries including the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia are particularly dependent on these routes, making the region highly sensitive to any disruption. The report suggests that Iran itself is comparatively less reliant on these specific cable pathways.
Concerns over undersea infrastructure are not new. In 2024 and 2025, several cable disruptions in the Red Sea—
linked to regional tensions—caused slower internet speeds and service interruptions across multiple countries. Repairs in such cases are often delayed due to restricted access and the technical complexity of deep-sea cable restoration.
The report also references statements and past warnings from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as well as threats attributed to Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement, which have raised fears that critical digital infrastructure could become a target in broader geopolitical conflicts.
In addition, earlier incidents involving drone strikes on facilities associated with cloud service infrastructure in the UAE and Bahrain have further highlighted growing concerns about the vulnerability of digital systems in the region.
Experts note that undersea cables are difficult to monitor and protect, and even a single break can cause major rerouting of global data traffic, slowing down financial systems and disrupting communication networks across countries.
While no immediate threat has been confirmed, the report has intensified attention on the often unseen infrastructure that underpins global connectivity and the potential risks it faces amid rising regional tensions.
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