The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has identified undersea data cables as potential targets in a hypothetical third phase of conflict with the United States. Officials specifically referenced the Asia-Africa-Europe-1 cable, which spans 15,050 miles and passes through Oman, the UAE, and Qatar.
Military experts, including Professor Alesso Patalano of King's College London, characterize the threat as credible. The potential methods for disabling this infrastructure include the use of divers to sever or destroy cables on the seabed, a tactic previously observed in other global infrastructure incidents.
While Iranian authorities have reportedly considered this action since the start of hostilities, they have refrained from execution to avoid broader international escalation. However, the option remains under consideration should tensions with the U.S. increase further.
Global undersea infrastructure has faced similar scrutiny from other nations. Earlier this year, a Russian vessel was intercepted by the Royal Navy after loitering for 14 hours near critical cables connecting the United Kingdom to Spain, Portugal, Canada, and the United States.
