Two Iranian security officials say Tehran has prepared contingency plans targeting critical communications infrastructure, with potential consequences for regional internet services and digital businesses.
DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES — WEB DESK | October 24, 2026
Iran has drawn up detailed plans to target undersea communications cables in the Persian Gulf if the United States and Israel launch renewed military strikes against the country, two senior Iranian security officials told Reuters.
The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Tehran was considering targeting communications infrastructure as part of its response to any new attacks. One official said Iran could also seek to prevent damaged cables from being repaired, potentially prolonging disruptions to internet connectivity and other communications services.
The remarks follow warnings from Iranian officials that undersea cables could become potential targets if diplomatic efforts with Washington fail and military hostilities resume. However, the officials did not disclose specific operational details or confirm that any attacks had been ordered.
The reported plans highlight the vulnerability of critical digital infrastructure as tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel continue.
Iran Warns of Possible Attacks on Undersea Cables
Iranian officials have increasingly warned that a renewed military confrontation could extend beyond conventional military targets to include communications networks and other strategic infrastructure.
Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), previously warned that seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz could be targeted if Iranian infrastructure came under attack.
One of the senior security officials quoted by Reuters said Iran would no longer observe previous restrictions on potential targets if the country were attacked again.
The reported comments did not establish exactly how Tehran would damage the cables or how it would attempt to prevent repair operations. The United States, Iran’s Foreign Ministry and Gulf governments had not provided immediate responses to Reuters’ requests for comment at the time of the report.
Why Undersea Internet Cables Matter
Submarine communications cables form the backbone of international digital connectivity, carrying data between continents and supporting internet access, financial transactions, cloud computing and commercial communications.
According to the International Telecommunication Union, approximately 99% of global internet traffic is carried through undersea cables. However, telecommunications research firm TeleGeography estimates that less than 1% of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz, suggesting that attacks confined to this corridor would have a more limited direct effect on global connectivity than widespread cable disruptions elsewhere.
Multiple cable cuts could nevertheless affect regional internet services, financial transactions, e-commerce and cloud-based businesses. The actual impact would depend on the number of damaged cables, available network capacity and the ability of operators to reroute traffic through alternative connections.
Repairs Could Become a Major Challenge
Undersea cable repairs require specialised vessels, technical equipment and access to affected waters. Military hostilities could make these operations more difficult by increasing security risks, insurance costs and delays in obtaining permission to enter territorial waters.
The concern is particularly significant because the Iranian officials reportedly discussed preventing repairs after an attack, potentially extending service disruptions beyond the initial damage.
Telecommunications operators can sometimes reroute data through alternative subsea cables or terrestrial networks. However, those alternatives may not have enough spare capacity to fully compensate for multiple simultaneous failures.
The extent of any disruption would depend on the location and scale of damage and the resilience of the affected networks.
Gulf Digital Infrastructure Faces Growing Security Risks
Gulf countries have invested heavily in data centres, cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure as part of efforts to diversify their economies beyond oil and gas.
Iranian officials have also warned that US-linked digital infrastructure in the region could become a target in a renewed conflict. Such threats have raised concerns among governments and technology companies with major investments across the Gulf.
The Red Sea could represent another strategically important communications corridor because it carries substantial data traffic between Europe, Asia and East Africa. However, Reuters reported no public Iranian announcement of a specific plan to attack cables in the Red Sea.
Regional governments and technology companies have been investing in additional terrestrial and subsea connections to improve network resilience and provide alternative routes for data traffic.
Diplomatic Efforts Remain Central
The reported cable-targeting plans are conditional on renewed US or Israeli attacks against Iran. They do not establish that an operation against undersea communications infrastructure is imminent or that any cable has been damaged.
The statements nevertheless demonstrate how a potential escalation could affect civilian communications and commercial technology infrastructure beyond the immediate battlefield.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the security of undersea cables remains an important concern for Gulf states, international telecommunications operators and businesses that depend on reliable cross-border connectivity.
