Iran’s threat to cut undersea cables in Strait of Hormuz poses a serious threat to Gulf states

By John Aitken, Associate, Senior Research Fellow, RAND Europe, RAND Europe

The conflict between Iran and the US appears to have reached a stalemate. The US navy continues to prevent Iranian vessels or others transiting to or from Iranian ports. Iran, meanwhile, threatens shipping moving in or out of the Persian Gulf region via the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran has also recently said it will establish a new “restricted zone” stretching into the Gulf from the Strait of Hormuz – although details remain sketchy.

Less frequently discussed is the network of undersea cables…

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