Former US President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, suggesting the possibility of another military operation he referred to as an “Epic Fury.” This comes amidst reports that Tehran is preparing plans to target crucial undersea Gulf communications cables should the United States and Israel resume attacks on Iranian targets.
Speaking at a Florida rally, Trump referenced previous operations, stating, “We obliterated Iran's nuclear enrichment capacity with Operation Midnight Hammer… And then did the rest with Operation Epic Fury, which it was. We may do another little Epic Fury.” He also reiterated his criticism of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), calling it “one of the worst deals ever made.”
Iran Threatens Undersea Infrastructure
Iranian security officials, cited by Reuters, confirmed Tehran's readiness to retaliate against any renewed aggression. Two officials indicated that Iran could cut undersea cables and obstruct repairs. “If Iran is attacked, there will be no more red lines… from undersea cables to military bases, including covert ones,” one official warned. Yadollah Javani of the Revolutionary Guards specifically mentioned that Iran could target seven cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint for global shipping and internet traffic.
Mohsen Rezaei, another Iranian official, further threatened US-linked data centers and artificial intelligence facilities. These threats highlight a significant escalation in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, which is approaching its eighth month and has already resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced.
Global Concerns Over Escalation
The potential for a wider regional war has drawn international condemnation and calls for de-escalation. Following talks in Istanbul, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, “A new attack on Iran would expand the war in the region. A military intervention on Iran is not in any way a solution.” French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot echoed these concerns, warning that “a further escalation between Iran and the United States would leave no winners and would likely have very serious consequences for hydrocarbon prices.”
While undersea cables carry approximately 99 percent of global internet traffic, less than one percent of international bandwidth actually crosses the Strait of Hormuz. However, multiple cuts could still severely disrupt internet services, finance, e-commerce, and cloud computing across the Gulf region. Wartime insurance and permit issues could also significantly delay necessary repairs, impacting local economies and international business operations, including major tech players like Microsoft, Google, Apple, and Nvidia, which Iran has previously named as potential targets.