Ships linked to Iran have been observed making unusual movements above major subsea telecommunications cables in the Gulf of Oman, raising concerns about potential attacks on critical digital infrastructure. Maritime analysts identified four vessels, including three U.S.-sanctioned tankers, that slowed down, circled cable routes, or switched off their tracking systems.
The activity follows threats from Iranian officials to target undersea cables and data centers if the United States and Israel launch further attacks against Iran, according to the Financial Times. Any damage could disrupt internet connectivity, financial transactions, communications, and cloud computing across Gulf countries, highlighting the vulnerability of the region’s digital infrastructure amid rising geopolitical tensions.
