Iran: “Hormuz is the Gulf’s internet lifeline”… hints at cutting undersea cables

Iran has issued a stark warning, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz is not merely a critical chokepoint for oil and gas, but a vital artery for the internet infrastructure of Gulf nations. The semi-official Tasnim news agency highlighted that seven major internet cables traverse this strategic waterway, making countries like the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and even parts of Iran itself reliant on this narrow passage for their global connectivity.

This assertion carries significant weight, as Tasnim claims that Gulf Arab states are far more dependent on these undersea cables passing through Hormuz than Iran is. While Iran reportedly connects 30-40% of its internet via southern undersea cables, its neighbors allegedly rely on this route for up to 90% of their connectivity. The implication is clear: any disruption, whether accidental or deliberate, could trigger a "digital catastrophe" across the region.

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The Strait of Hormuz is not just a route for oil and gas. Seven major internet cables for the region also pass through here.

The agency painted a grim picture of the potential consequences, warning of severe internet disruptions, billions in daily economic losses, banking failures, stock market turmoil in Dubai and Doha, and the collapse of e-commerce and air travel. This narrative draws parallels to past incidents, such as the 2008 cable breaks in the Mediterranean that crippled internet access in the Middle East and India.

From an Iranian perspective, this message serves as a potent counter-threat. As tensions simmer over potential blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran is signaling its capability to inflict severe economic damage through unconventional means. The reference to Russia's alleged actions against Western undersea cables in the Baltic and North Seas further underscores this point, suggesting a coordinated or at least ideologically aligned strategy of leveraging critical infrastructure as a weapon. This highlights a regional dynamic where control over vital global arteries, both physical and digital, is a key element of geopolitical leverage.

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If a few of the strait's main cables are cut simultaneously for any reason, such as natural disasters, ship anchors, maritime accidents, or deliberate acts, a 'digital disaster' will occur in the Gulf Arab states.