Middle East Conflict Threatens Global Subsea Cable Infrastructure

According to Lianhe Zaobao citing Nikkei, Reuters, Bloomberg and The Guardian, conflict between the United States and Iran is threatening not only global energy supplies but also the world’s digital economy, after Iran signaled it could seek control over subsea data cables in the Persian Gulf that carry about 30% of global data traffic. The report said Iran-linked media argued in April and May, when US-Iran talks were deadlocked, that the Persian Gulf cables should be controlled by Iran and that attacks on them would cause a digital disaster for Gulf Arab states. Subsea cables carry 99% of international communications traffic, and roughly 500 such cables connect Europe and Africa with Asia via routes including the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The Guardian estimated that 17% of global internet traffic runs through Red Sea cables, while a Qatar Telecom executive said about 30% of global data flows through the Middle East. Bloomberg reported in March that Alcatel Submarine Networks issued force majeure notices to customers during tensions related to Iran, after which Meta paused some subsea cable projects in Africa and the Middle East. NEC, which holds more than 20% of the market for subsea cable design, manufacturing and installation, plans to raise that share to 35% and has secured five dedicated work vessels. The article said only about 60 ships worldwide can lay and maintain subsea cables, and repairs can take weeks. In May, 17 countries including Singapore, the United Kingdom and Qatar agreed on a security framework that includes monitoring with naval vessels and unmanned underwater vehicles.