Gulf Cable Map Signals Strategic Risk

A media outlet closely aligned with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has published a detailed map of submarine internet cables and associated cloud infrastructure beneath the Persian Gulf, prompting concern among analysts that the region’s digital backbone could be increasingly exposed to geopolitical pressure.

The report, released on Wednesday by Tasnim News Agency, frames the Strait of Hormuz not only as a vital artery for global energy supplies but also as a critical corridor for undersea communications cables. These cables form the primary data links for several Gulf states, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

According to the report, countries along the southern coast of the Gulf are significantly more dependent on maritime cable systems for internet connectivity than Iran itself. This asymmetry, it argues, places those nations at greater risk in the event of disruption to subsea infrastructure.

Security analysts suggest that the publication goes beyond a technical overview. Instead, it appears to identify specific elements—such as cable routes, landing stations, and data centres—as potential pressure points in an evolving strategic landscape. Particular attention is drawn to cloud and data centre infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain, where disruption could have far-reaching economic and communications consequences.

The timing of the report has intensified its significance. It comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, and its regional ally Israel, with increasing reports of hybrid and cyber-related incidents targeting infrastructure. Digital systems have already emerged as a contested domain in the broader confrontation.

Recent unverified claims in some reports allege that facilities linked to Amazon Web Services (AWS) in the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have been targeted by Iranian drone operations. While these claims have not been independently confirmed, they have contributed to growing concern over the vulnerability of commercial cloud infrastructure in conflict scenarios.

The Tasnim report suggests that, alongside traditional strategic assets such as ports, shipping lanes, and energy installations, undersea cables and regional data centres may now be considered part of a broader set of high-value targets.

Below is an overview of the region’s digital infrastructure dependencies:

Experts note that safeguarding subsea cables is inherently complex due to their vast geographic spread and the difficulty of monitoring underwater assets. As reliance on cloud computing and cross-border data flows continues to expand, the resilience and security of these systems are likely to become an even more pressing concern for governments and private sector operators alike.