Iran Threatens To Target Undersea Internet Cables In Persian Gulf; How Could India Be Affected?

US-Iran Tension: Another dimension was added to the ongoing tension in the Middle East after Iran threatened to target undersea internet cables if the US targets its assets. A recent report by Tasnim, a news agency affiliated with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), detailed the mapping of internet cables and critical cloud infrastructure under the Persian Gulf. Experts are considering this a serious warning to Gulf countries. If the ongoing hostility deepens, Iran could use these internet landing stations and data hubs as pressure points.

Strait of Hormuz Is Critical Chokpoint For Internet As Well

This report by Tasnim describes the Strait of Hormuz as a "critical chokepoint" not only for oil and gas, but also for communications systems connecting countries like the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. It is critical for India as well.

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How India Could Be Impacted?

If Iran cuts the internet wire laid undersea, it could lead to the collapse of several online services in India. Approximately 60% of India's internet traffic relies on routes from Mumbai to Europe, which pass through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz. Damage to these cables would slow internet speeds, disrupt cloud services, and severely impact online banking, e-commerce, UPI, aviation, and several other sectors. While India will not be completely cut off from the internet because eastern routes (Singapore-Chennai) are available, traffic re-routing will increase load and cause delays.

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Iran's threat further increased the risk, with recent reports stating that Iranian drone attacks targeted Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE and Bahrain, exposing the physical vulnerability of commercial cloud infrastructure in the Persian Gulf.

Tasnim's report suggests that Iranian-linked media are indicating that the map of growing pressure points in the conflict now includes undersea cables and regional data hubs, in addition to ports, shipping routes, and energy facilities.

The IRGC has warned that the undersea data cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz could be easily damaged. An accident or sabotage could easily cut these cables.
(With Jagran.com inputs)