Windward tracks four Iranian-linked ships near Gulf internet cables
Vessels including three sanctioned tankers and a fishing boat exhibited unusual navigation patterns around key telecommunications lines.
By Ayanda Boateng ·
A private maritime intelligence firm has identified four vessels linked to Iran operating near critical undersea internet cables in the Gulf of Oman. The activity follows public warnings from Tehran regarding its intent to target regional communications infrastructure if military hostilities resume.
Windward, an Israeli maritime data company, reported the findings in a report cited by the Financial Times. The company tracked the movements of three oil tankers currently under US sanctions and a small Iranian fishing vessel. These ships traveled along routes that deviated from standard commercial paths near submarine cable networks.
Tracking data revealed the fishing vessel remained near the Europe India Gateway and Transworld cables from October 21 through October 26. Windward noted that the three tankers displayed similar irregular navigation patterns during the same period.
The company stated that the vessels did not behave like typical commercial ships waiting for oil cargoes in the region. Their movement patterns shifted specifically when they approached corridors containing telecommunications infrastructure. Windward told the Financial Times that the vessels moved normally until reaching a specific cable corridor, at which point they slowed, looped, turned back, or went dark.
Based on these observations, Windward assessed that the behavior fit the profile of mapping cable routes or placing charges or mines while the vessels were off their transponders. The assessment suggests a potential preparatory phase for an attack on the physical infrastructure.
The maritime activity aligns with threats issued by Iran over the past month. Tehran warned it would attack submarine cables and data centers in the Strait of Hormuz if the United States and Israel launched a new offensive. These warnings emerged alongside indications from the US president that military operations against Tehran could restart.
The Strait of Hormuz hosts six existing submarine cables and three networks currently under construction. The projects in progress include Fibre in Gulf, Sea-Me-We 6, and 2Africa, with the latter nearing completion. Telecommunications research firm TeleGeography confirms that Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar rely entirely on these cables for international connectivity, leaving them without alternative submarine routes.
