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Strait of Hormuz risks internet shutdown as submarine cables face sabotage and accidents

International
Published on 28 April 2026
Strait of Hormuz risks internet shutdown as submarine cables face sabotage and accidents

Iran warns anchors and fishing gear can cut global data routes

Iran has flagged the Strait of Hormuz as a major digital chokepoint, warning that submarine cables there are vulnerable to accidental damage from ship anchors and fishing gear, as well as possible sabotage. These links carry about 99% of global internet traffic, making any disruption a direct threat to the digital economies and connectivity of Gulf countries.

  • Submarine cables in Hormuz are a critical internet lifeline
  • Accidents like ship anchors and fishing gear can cause outages
  • Iran also raises alarms about deliberate sabotage risks
  • Any disruption could ripple through Gulf digital economies
Read the full story at The Economic Times

This summarization was done by Beige for a story published on The Economic TimesThe Economic Times

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