GeopoliticsMedium•7 November 2026•
1 min read
Iran-Linked Tankers Tracked Near Critical Subsea Cables in Gulf of Oman
Key Facts
1Windward tracked three sanctioned Iran-linked tankers performing suspicious maneuvers near major subsea internet cables.
2The vessels slowed down and moved in circles near cable routes, with some switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders.
Windward tracked three sanctioned Iran-linked tankers performing suspicious maneuvers near major subsea internet cables in the Gulf of Oman. The Financial Times reported that the vessels slowed down and moved in circles near critical cable routes, with some switching off their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to avoid detection.
The observed behavior could indicate the mapping of cable routes or the potential placement of mines, according to Windward's assessment shared with the Financial Times. This activity marks a potential shift in maritime threats within a strategic corridor essential for global data transmission between the Middle East, Europe, and Asia.