Iran Threatens to cut Internet cables in Hormuz Escalation Risk

Undersea cables in the crosshairs

Iran is signaling it could target vital telecommunications infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz, raising fears of a wider disruption far beyond oil markets.

State-linked media circulated maps showing dense networks of undersea internet cables running through the narrow chokepoint — a move widely interpreted as a warning that those could be cut if tensions escalate further.

These cables carry a significant share of global data traffic between Europe, Asia and the Gulf. Any serious disruption wouldn’t just hit the region — it could slow financial systems, cloud services and communications worldwide.

Unusual military threats surface

Alongside the cable warnings, reports — notably via The Wall Street Journal — suggest Tehran is exploring unconventional tactics, including naval harassment and even highly unusual claims about “mine-carrying dolphins.”

That particular claim should be treated with caution. While military dolphins have existed historically, the idea of operational mine deployment in this context is unverified and, at best, speculative.

Blockade pressure builds

The escalation comes as Donald Trump doubles down on a naval blockade aimed at choking off Iran’s oil exports.

U.S. Central Command says dozens of Iranian-linked vessels have already been turned back, with exports effectively stalled. The blockade is hitting Tehran hard — unemployment is rising, inflation is surging, and oil storage capacity is nearing its limits.

Iran signals retaliation options

Iranian officials insist they will “neutralise” the blockade, though their conventional naval capacity has reportedly been heavily degraded. That leaves asymmetric options — like cyber disruption, harassment of shipping, or interference with infrastructure — increasingly central to their strategy.

Threatening telecom cables fits that pattern: it’s high-impact, hard to defend completely, and globally disruptive.

Global stakes rising

The standoff is no longer just about oil flows. With Brent crude already spiking and shipping routes frozen, the potential targeting of data infrastructure adds a new layer of risk.

Analysts warn that while Iran may not be able to fully control Hormuz, it can still create chaos — and that may be enough to shift the strategic balance.

A dangerous next phase

With diplomacy stalled and both sides testing pressure points, the situation is edging into more unpredictable territory.

If energy chokepoints weren’t enough, the threat to global communications signals a broader escalation — one where the fallout could be felt far beyond the Gulf.

SOURCE

Just now, Social Media said:

Iran is signaling it could target vital telecommunications infrastructure in the Strait of Hormuz

No worries Trump says the Iranian navy has been obliterated so they have no way to carry out these 'threats' they have no cards and are totally defeated just begging to surrender unconditionally 🤣

That would hurt China, Iran's main customer. Won't happen.

What the ignorant fools leading America don't seem to get is that Iran still has many many cards in its hands, and is in a position to create a lot more chaos for America and the world.

What a lot of people don't seem to realize is that Iran is actually showing restraint at this point, they have not unleashed any of their proxy sleeper cells, they have not rained down terror upon the American mainland, which they are fully capable of, they have not hacked into American infrastructure yet or defense systems yet, and all of those still remain strong possibilities if the ignoramus Trump doesn't start to wise up.

Though it is very difficult for Trump when it comes to things like learning and comprehension, I think it's finally dawning on the clowns that they picked on the wrong adversary, at the wrong time, for the wrong reasons.

This is not going well for big Don and this is going to be his his boondoggle and his demise. It looks like that he's going to take MAGA down with him, which is a good thing for not only America but for the entire planet.

Edited May 2May 2 by spidermike007

Eventually Trump will just walk away and leave other Country's to clear up the mess he started, he will likely say " We have finished what we started and its time to move on God bless America " and the idiots will believe it.

Just now, BarraMarra said:

Eventually Trump will just walk away and leave other Country's to clear up the mess he started, he will likely say " We have finished what we started and its time to move on God bless America " and the idiots will believe it.

You may be correct this is not the first time the US has done this !! take Afganistan The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 left behind thousands of Afghan allies—interpreters, intelligence officers, security personnel, and their families—who aided the American mission over two decades. Many of these individuals, estimated to be in the tens of thousands, feel betrayed and abandoned to potential Taliban retribution. all were promised us protection or citizenship !!!! this is how the US treats its friends !!!

Just now, spidermike007 said:

What a lot of people don't seem to realize is that Iran is actually showing restraint at this point, they have not unleashed any of their proxy sleeper cells, they have not rained down terror upon the American mainland, which they are fully capable of, they have not hacked into American infrastructure yet or defense systems yet, and all of those still remain strong possibilities if the ignoramus Trump doesn't start to wise up.

The question is : why haven't the Iranians unleached sleeper cells and hit the US directly ?

This won't bother Trump 🤡 ,he's more concerned about getting

his Golden Ballroom ,Trumphant arch built ,he is already moved

on from the war, he must be bored with it all , and it's so far away.

regards worgeordie

Just now, FlorC said:

The question is : why haven't the Iranians unleached sleeper cells and hit the US directly ?

They are obviously being prudent, the polar opposite of the behavior of the unhinged Mad Men Don, Pete and Netanyahu.

Just now, MikeandDow said:

You may be correct this is not the first time the US has done this !! take Afganistan The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 left behind thousands of Afghan allies—interpreters, intelligence officers, security personnel, and their families—who aided the American mission over two decades. Many of these individuals, estimated to be in the tens of thousands, feel betrayed and abandoned to potential Taliban retribution. all were promised us protection or citizenship !!!! this is how the US treats its friends !!!

But it would be stretching things a little to suggest that Trump was responsible for the US military withdrawing from Afghanistan or indeed for them being there in the first place.

Just now, MikeandDow said:

You may be correct this is not the first time the US has done this !! take Afganistan The U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in August 2021 left behind thousands of Afghan allies—interpreters, intelligence officers, security personnel, and their families—who aided the American mission over two decades. Many of these individuals, estimated to be in the tens of thousands, feel betrayed and abandoned to potential Taliban retribution. all were promised us protection or citizenship !!!! this is how the US treats its friends !!!

Did the same during the Vietnam war mikeandDow they have history of doing this. Its not new, Trump and his goons know they cant win so they can walk away and make it look like a win.

Just now, stevenl said:

That would hurt China, Iran's main customer. Won't happen.

As far as I know, it's not a main route for China's international Internet flow. It may hurt China, but much less than India or SE-Asia.

Just now, Bday Prang said:

But it would be stretching things a little to suggest that Trump was responsible for the US military withdrawing from Afghanistan or indeed for them being there in the first place.

Did not say trump !! but this is How the Yanks do things !! start a War then SHxT on their friends

Just now, spidermike007 said:

They are obviously being prudent, the polar opposite of the behavior of the unhinged Mad Men Don, Pete and Netanyahu.

Yanks can not see far enough or think ahead !! Trump and his mod has painted a Target on America back for years to come