By Esfandyar Batmanghelidj and Ezana Tedla

Policymakers and multinational executives are concerned that Iran could target subsea cables in a new round of escalation in the U.S.-Iran War. Iran has previously targeted data centers, but the undersea infrastructure so central to the region’s economy has not yet faced attacks.

In this note, we examine why this hasn’t happened and the circumstances in which it would be likely to change. To do so, we look at Iran’s offensive doctrine, its strategic objectives, and the extent of redundancy built into Gulf cable routes.

Critical Questions is Bourse & Bazaar Advisory’s series of concise research notes. Published every two weeks, these notes provide policymakers, executives, and investors the answers they need to understand evolving opportunities and risks in West and Central Asia. Each leverages the Bourse & Bazaar Foundation’s staff expertise, stakeholder relationships, and proprietary data to present qualitative and quantitative insights.

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