Iran Israel War: middle east The ongoing conflict now appears to be entering a new and more dangerous phase. The third week of the ongoing war between Iran and Israel has started, but there are no signs of it ending. Meanwhile, after global energy supply, now clouds of danger are looming over internet connectivity.
There has been a stir in the international markets after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz. This strait is not only important for oil and gas supply, but is also an important route for undersea internet cables. In such a situation, if the situation worsens, global internet services may also be seriously affected.
What is the target now after Hormuz?
According to reports, Iran-backed Houthi movement can now target Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This waterway is located in the Red Sea and is extremely important for global trade and data transmission. If this route is also disrupted, a major crisis may arise at both the digital and economic levels.
How important are the undersea cables?
Fiber-optic cables spread on the seabed are the backbone of the global Internet. These cables power almost every digital activity, from video calls, email, banking transactions and AI services. According to reports, about 17 major cables pass under the Red Sea, which connect Europe, Asia and Africa.
Direct impact on many countries including India
According to TeleGeography, cables like AAE-1, FALCON, Gulf Bridge International and Tata-TGN Gulf are active in the Persian Gulf. These cables directly support India’s international data traffic. If these lines are damaged, internet speed and connectivity in India may be seriously affected.
Big companies like Amazon, Microsoft and Google have invested heavily in setting up data centers in Gulf countries. Their aim was to make this region a global hub of Artificial Intelligence, but the current crisis is threatening these plans.
Has the threat to cable increased?
According to the New York Times report, the depth of water in the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz is only about 200 feet. This means that the cables are located in shallow water and can be easily damaged. Although it is not clear whether Iran will target these cables or not, its naval activities and presence of submarine teams strengthen this apprehension. A small accident or deliberate attack can bring Internet services to a standstill for weeks or months.
What will be the impact on the global economy?
If internet cables are disrupted, its impact will not be limited to communication only. Banking systems, stock markets, hospitals and AI services will all be affected. There will be huge pressure on data traffic between Gulf countries as well as India and Europe-Asia, which will increase delays and economic losses globally.
What is the warning of the United Nations?
The UN has warned that an additional 45 million people could face severe hunger due to rising oil prices, expensive shipping and food shortages. The total number of people affected by this may cross the record level of 319 million.
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