Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has warned that critical undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz could be vulnerable to accidental or deliberate damage—raising concerns about potential global internet disruption.
The warning, reported by Tasnim News Agency, said that “simultaneous damage to several major cables” could trigger widespread outages across the Persian Gulf region.
A global digital chokepoint
The Strait of Hormuz is not just vital for oil shipments—it is also a dense hub of submarine fiber-optic cables forming a backbone of global connectivity.
These cables:
- Carry roughly 17–30% of regional internet traffic
- Link Asia, Europe, and the Middle East
- Support cloud computing, financial systems, AI infrastructure, and everyday communications
Major tech ecosystems in the Gulf—powered by companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google—depend heavily on this infrastructure.
What happens if cables are damaged?
If multiple cables are cut or disrupted:
- Internet speeds could slow dramatically across multiple continents
- Cloud services and data centres may face outages
- Banking, stock markets, and digital payments could be affected
- Everyday services like email, video calls, and apps may become unreliable
Because these cables operate as a network, damage to several at once—especially in a bottleneck like Hormuz—can have cascading effects globally.
Why India is particularly vulnerable
India’s digital ecosystem is deeply tied to these international cable routes.
Key risks include:
- Slower internet speeds for millions of users
- Disruptions in UPI, banking, and fintech systems
- Instability in IT services and outsourcing industries
- Impact on AI, cloud computing, and global business operations
Cable landing points in nearby regions like Oman, the UAE, and Pakistan act as gateways for India’s international data traffic—making any regional disruption significant.
Mounting operational concerns
Alcatel Submarine Networks has reportedly issued force majeure notices, indicating it cannot meet obligations due to unforeseen disruptions. Its cable-laying vessel, the Île de Batz, is said to be stranded near Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile, Meta Platforms has paused work on undersea cable projects, underscoring growing uncertainty around infrastructure security in the region.
Bigger picture
The warning highlights how modern geopolitics now threatens not just oil supply chains but also digital lifelines. A serious disruption in the Gulf could ripple across economies, affecting everything from streaming services to stock exchanges—making submarine cables one of the world’s most underappreciated strategic assets.
