Iran threatens to target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz

On October 21, 2026, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) issued a direct threat to target critical undersea telecommunications infrastructure passing through the Strait of Hormuz. General Hossein Mohebbi, an official spokesperson for the IRGC, identified seven major cables, which facilitate global internet connectivity and financial transactions, as “new legitimate targets.”

This rhetoric arrives during the eighth month of the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States. General Mohebbi stated that the current relative calm is a precursor to a potential “third phase” of the war, characterized by a “new geography of war” that expands the scope of Iranian operations. According to reports from The Telegraph, these threats may be linked to the possibility of renewed American military strikes following the upcoming U.S. midterm elections in November.

Experts warn that if these threats are executed, the destruction of this 25,000-kilometre infrastructure could severely disrupt global financial markets, banking systems, and international communication networks. While the situation remains in a state of tense anticipation, Tehran maintains that it is prepared to introduce new weapons and strategies to broaden the conflict's reach.