Iran-linked ships suspected of mapping, placing mines around undersea telecommunications cables
The findings come after Iran repeatedly threatened over the past month to attack submarine cables and data centers in the Strait of Hormuz if Washington and Israel launch another military offensive.
Iran-linked vessels have been observed making suspicious movements near undersea telecommunications cables in the Gulf of Oman, according to a report by the Financial Times. Israeli maritime intelligence company Windward tracked at least four ships traveling along unusual routes near submarine cable networks, including three oil tankers under US sanctions and a small Iranian fishing vessel.
The behavior of these vessels, which slowed, looped, turned back, loitered, or went dark after approaching specific cable corridors, suggests they were mapping the cable routes or placing charges or mines on them. This activity comes after Iran threatened to attack submarine cables and data centers in the Strait of Hormuz if the US and Israel resume military operations against Iran.
Several Persian Gulf countries, including Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar, rely entirely on cables passing through the Strait for their internet connectivity.
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