Tanker ships associated with Iran have been spotted near subsea Internet cables in the Gulf of Oman, which may suggest preparations for targeting these cables in response to US and Israeli military actions. The movements were reported by maritime intelligence firm Windward, indicating a potential threat to critical telecommunications infrastructure in the region. Six active cables currently link the Middle East to other regions, with several countries, including Iraq and India, relying on these connections for Internet access.
Key facts
- Iran-linked tankers observed near subsea cables in October 2026.
- Three sanctioned tankers and one Iranian fishing boat were tracked.
- Six active subsea cables cross the Strait of Hormuz.
- Four countries depend entirely on these telecommunications connections.
- One-third of India's westbound Internet traffic passes through this region.
A short AI summary in our own words. The reporting belongs to Ars Technica; we don't reproduce it. You can compare how outlets framed this story below.