Iranian media pushing for regime to sever international undersea fiber-optic cables in Hormuz
The managing editor of the ultra-conservative Kayhan newspaper insisted that disrupting or cutting off the internet cables was a “necessary measure” to respond to the “crimes of America."
Iranian hardline media outlets are urging the regime to sever international undersea fiber-optic cables in the Strait of Hormuz and the Arabian Gulf, in an attempt to escalate the ongoing conflict. The Islamic Republic's managing editor of Kayhan newspaper, Hossein Shariatmadari, argued that disrupting these cables is a "necessary measure" to counter the "crimes of America and its wicked allies." He contended that preventing internet cables from passing through the Persian Gulf would weaken the sources of "evil."
However, the IRGC-linked Tasnim News Agency suggested that Iran could charge countries for using the cables, similar to the pressure tactics employed in the Strait of Hormuz. Military historian Dr. Lynette Nusbacher pointed out that the cables are crucial for the global economy, particularly for China. Dr. Nusbacher stated that Iran had not needed to resort to this option, as it already uses the Strait of Hormuz as a pressure point against the global economy.
American officials have warned that new pipelines in the region would reduce Hormuz's strategic importance. An unnamed American source claimed that the recent strikes by CENTCOM on Iranian targets were a preemptive response to Iranian attacks on undersea communications cables. Dr. Nusbacher suggested that Iran might damage a specific cable to warn the world of its capabilities, causing significant damage to global markets. The United States might respond differently depending on its willingness to escalate the conflict.
Such actions could prompt the US to return to the negotiating table, though Iran is unlikely to receive more concessions than those offered in the MoU. An even more extreme option would be for the IRGC to target multiple cables with significant blast damage, causing widespread global disruption and economic recession. Dr. Nusbacher noted that the United States would suffer the most from such an outcome and that China, a major supplier to Iran, might be the only country with the leverage to prevent such an action.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
