Recent Iranian threats and maritime activity have elevated risks around undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz. In October 2026, IRGC spokesmen and senior security officials publicly warned that seven major cables could become targets if the United States or Israel resume strikes on Iranian infrastructure, with statements emphasizing expanded retaliation options and potential interference with repairs. Iranian officials described the lines as legitimate new targets amid an ongoing conflict entering a possible new phase. In early November, maritime intelligence tracked multiple Iran-linked vessels, including sanctioned tankers, loitering, looping, and disabling trackers directly over cable corridors in the Gulf of Oman—patterns consistent with route mapping or preparatory actions. Gulf states rely heavily on these links for connectivity, though global bandwidth impact would remain limited. No cable damage has been confirmed, and resolution hinges on whether escalation occurs before any specified market deadline.