Iranian Vessels' Suspicious Activity Near Key Undersea Cables

• •Four vessels exhibited suspicious behavior near undersea cables off Oman.
• •Activities suggest potential mapping of cable routes or planting explosives.
• •Iranian military connections to fishing vessels raise security concerns.

In October 2026, maritime analytics firm Windward reported unusual movements of at least four vessels near undersea cable corridors off Oman, including three US-sanctioned tankers and an Iranian fishing boat. The vessels exhibited behavior consistent with mapping cable routes or potentially placing explosives, raising concerns about threats to vital communication infrastructure. Notably, the Iran-flagged tanker Celestial Sea loitered near the 2Africa cable for hours, turning off its transponder for 86 hours before reappearing. Another sanctioned tanker, loaded with Iranian LPG, also exhibited suspicious behavior, returning to Oman after slowing over the same cable. The Iranian fishing boat, linked to the Revolutionary Guards' shadow navy, drifted along key cable routes before going dark. These activities coincide with Iranian threats against data centers and AI facilities, indicating a potential escalation in regional tensions. The situation remains under close observation as the implications for cybersecurity and maritime security unfold.