Submarine cables in the region are used for more than 90% of the world’s data traffic and the rupture of these structures would have an impact on the entire planet
The war between the United States and Israel against Iran enters its 3rd week and there are fears that it could cause an internet blackout around the world. Submarine cables in the region are used for more than 90% of the world’s data traffic and the rupture of these structures would have an impact on the entire planet.
According to the website, at least 17 submarine cables cross the Red Sea, forming a crucial data corridor connecting Europe, Asia and Africa. The Strait of Hormuz is equally vital – important cable systems, including the , the , the and the , pass through this region, according to the telecommunications research firm .
These cables connect major data centers built in the Gulf by companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Google to billions of users around the world. These cables are relatively easy to damage, whether by naval mines, anchors, or direct military action. Iran has already deployed sea mines in the strait from ships.
According to reports, the Red Sea is particularly vulnerable as the capes lie in relatively shallow waters. In 2025, the rupture of a submarine cable in the region affected internet services in India, Pakistan and countries in the Middle East, after a commercial ship reportedly dragged its anchor and cut several submarine internet cables.
Map shows in detail all the submarine cables that exist today in the Middle East
According to the agency, on March 12, it said it suspended part of its 2Africa project – a planned 45,000 km long submarine cable system that aims to expand internet connectivity in Africa and the Gulf region. The company planned to launch a segment of the cable, which will pass through anchor points in Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, Pakistan, India and Saudi Arabia.
Alcatel Submarine Networks, the company responsible for installing the fiber optic cable for the 2Africa project, has declared that it can no longer continue to operate safely, sources familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Much of the cable has already been laid on the seabed, but has not yet been connected to all docking stations.
When completed, the 2Africa project will be the largest fiber optic cable system in the world, connecting countries along the entire coast of Africa to Europe and the Middle East. The section in the Persian Gulf and a segment in the Red Sea are the two parts that still need to be completed.
Meta has plans to build a new cable, which will bypass the Middle East to connect the US, India, South Africa and Brazil. But completing this project will take years.
According to the Bloombergwork on Sea-Me-We 6, a cable being developed by a consortium that includes the French telecommunications company, has been halted. The FIG project, supervised by the Qatari company, is also on hold.
The conflict has made it virtually impossible for repair ships to maintain submarine cables already in use in the area. “Cable ships will not operate in areas where there are active military operations, it is too risky.”said Alan Mauldin, from TeleGeography, at Bloomberg. Mauldin said internet traffic could be rerouted via other cables, including land routes through Oman and Saudi Arabia. “So there is still at least one way to maintain connectivity.”he said. Internet speeds in the region, however, may decrease.
Watch a video from the website Business Insider which shows the submarine cables that supply power to the internet (2min22s):
