The U.S. maintains a blockade on Iranian oil export ports while claiming the southern commercial transit route through the Strait of Hormuz remains open under U.S. Navy protection

Overview Debates Related claims Topics Sources

TeleGeography research director Alan Mauldin stated that less than 1% of global international bandwidth passes through the Strait of Hormuz, limiting global impact if cables there are cut

IRGC spokesperson Brig. Gen. Hossein Mohebbi stated on October 24, 2026 that if attacked, Iran will achieve absolute victory in an apocalyptic war that will decide the fate of regional nations

An Iranian security official stated that Iran would aim to prevent repairs following any attacks it carries out on undersea cables to prolong communications and internet disruptions

Maj. Gen. Ali Abdollahi, Chief of the General Staff of Iran's Armed Forces, stated on October 24, 2026 that U.S. military vessels will not be allowed to enter the Persian Gulf under any circumstances

Two senior Iranian security officials stated that Tehran has drawn up detailed plans to target Gulf undersea communications cables if the U.S. and Israel attack Iran again

Iranian military strikes directly hit two Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE in March 2026 and damaged infrastructure near an AWS facility in Bahrain

Neither the U.S. nor Iran had engaged in major land-based attacks since early September 2026 following the initiation of war against Iran by U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 28, 2026

Yadollah Javani, deputy head of political affairs for Iran's IRGC, stated on October 21, 2026 that Iran could target seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz if Iranian infrastructure is attacked

Iran's Security Council Secretary General Mohsen Rezaei warned in October 2026 that U.S.-linked digital infrastructure across the Gulf, including data centers and AI facilities, could be targeted in a renewed conflict

Iran has closed the Strait of Hormuz amid the military conflict with the United States

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called for an end to what he described as a state of neither war nor peace

U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack stated in an interview on October 23, 2026 that the U.S. could launch military strikes against Iran within days

U.S. and Israeli media reported that both countries have drawn up plans to resume military strikes against Iran

In October 2026, the United States refrained from military strikes on Iran, relying instead on a naval blockade of Iranian ports and sanctions against Iranian shipping networks

The United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on February 28, 2026

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps is failing to pay its own troops due to severe financial strain from the U.S. economic blockade.

Financial strain from the U.S. blockade has forced the Iranian regime to withhold salaries, pensions, and benefits across energy, manufacturing, construction, and security sectors.

U.S. Central Command chief Adm. Brad Cooper stated that a U.S. naval blockade has prevented Iran from exporting at least $25 billion worth of crude oil.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran's proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz within six to seven days in exchange for sanctions relief remains active.

Approximately half of Canadian firms surveyed by the Bank of Canada plan to pass on cost increases from the Iran war and trade tariffs to customers over the next 12 months.