Iran has devised detailed plans to target undersea communication cables in the Persian Gulf in the event of another attack by the United States and Israel. These statements were made by two senior Iranian security officials who emphasize the necessity of the country's preparedness against any threats.
Warnings from Iranian Officials
Iranian officials have warned that undersea cables in the region could become targets of military attacks if diplomacy with Washington collapses. One of these officials pointed out that Iran intends to prevent repairs to the cables after any attack to prolong communication disruptions, including internet connectivity.
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Threats to Digital Infrastructure
Yadollah Javani, Deputy for Political Affairs of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, stated that Iran could attack seven major internet cables under the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure is attacked. According to statistics, undersea cables carry about 99 percent of global internet traffic, but the impact of these attacks on the world will be limited because less than 1 percent of international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz.
Iranian security officials have warned the United States that playing with fire could have dire consequences, and Iran has full access to undersea cables and can easily destroy them. According to one of these officials, there will be no red lines in the event of an attack on Iran, and everything from undersea cables to military bases, including secret bases, will be targeted.
Iran's threats are particularly designed to deter renewed conflicts and pressure Washington. These officials have also warned the Gulf states that they should hold Washington accountable for any damage to undersea cables.
Currently, countries in the Gulf are widely investing in digital technologies to become global hubs for artificial intelligence and are establishing close ties with U.S. technology companies. Past attacks on digital infrastructure, including two attacks on Amazon Web Services facilities in the United Arab Emirates, demonstrate Iran's determination to target these infrastructures.
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