Iran Threatens to Cut Submarine Cables in Strait of Hormuz

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) threatened to cut seven submarine internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz on April 22, 2026, describing the potential outcome as a "digital catastrophe." The warning was issued via the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency, which published maps of the region's digital backbone to highlight the vulnerability of the narrow passage. These cables support over 90 percent of internet, banking, and cloud services for Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, with potential ripple effects reaching India and Europe.

This escalation follows a short ceasefire extension granted by U.S. President Donald Trump. The IRGC's warnings align with a broader pattern of instability, including Houthi attacks on Red Sea cables and Iranian drone strikes on data centers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates. The Tasnim News Agency noted that the concentration of cables like Falcon, AAE-1, TGN-Gulf, and SEA-ME-WE in one area creates a critical failure point for the regional digital economy.

In response to the threat, Alcatel Submarine Networks issued force majeure notices and Meta reportedly ceased work on undersea cables. To reduce reliance on these maritime chokepoints, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar have formed an international consortium to build terrestrial cables. The United States has not officially commented on the threats, though analysts suggest the escalation could end the current ceasefire and lead to renewed U.S. bombing campaigns.