Fact Check: Did Iran threaten to cut global internet traffic flowing through undersea cables?

WASHINGTON, DC: The US-Iran conflict, now in its fourth week, has escalated sharply with ongoing US airstrikes targeting Iranian nuclear sites, missile facilities, and energy infrastructure, while Iran has retaliated with ballistic missile and drone attacks on US bases.

President Donald Trump has now issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face obliteration of its power plants.

Amid the rising tension, a rumor circulated online claiming that Iran threatened to cut 95-99% of global internet traffic flowing through undersea cables. But is there any truth to this? Let us find out below.

Claim: Iran threatened to cut global internet traffic flowing through undersea cables

On Sunday, March 22, an X user came up with a post that read, "95 TO 99% OF ALL GLOBAL INTERNET TRAFFIC FLOWS THROUGH UNDERSEA CABLES AND IRAN JUST THREATENED TO CUT THEM, Read that again."

"Not satellites. Physical glass fiber cables sitting on the ocean floor at 200-feet depth. ZERO protection. 30% of the world's internet passes through ONE chokepoint: the Strait of Hormuz. 20+ cables run through the active war zone RIGHT NOW," the post added.

It further mentioned, "Trump gave Iran 48 hours to reopen Hormuz — or he obliterates their power plants. Iran's response: Touch our grid, we cut the cables. The Houthis already proved it works — they hit Red Sea cables earlier in this conflict. Iran watched. Iran learned."

"Banking. Cloud. Crypto. Communications. Financial markets. ALL of it runs through those cables. This isn't a cyberattack. It's a SCISSORS attack — and the world's internet has no backup plan," the X post concluded.

The viral post garnered more than 570,000 views on X, and more than 6,500 users liked the post.

Fact Check: False, no verified record of an official threat

The viral claim that Iran threatened to cut 99% of global internet traffic flowing through undersea cables is not true, as no credible evidence from official Iranian statements, IRGC announcements, or reputable news sources confirms the rumor.

The rumors appear to stem from speculation, misinformation, or sensationalized interpretations rather than direct quotes from Iranian officials.

Interestingly, undersea fiber-optic cables do carry 95 to 99% of international internet data globally. Key chokepoints, such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, host multiple cables, with estimates suggesting up to 30 to 37% of certain global traffic routes could be vulnerable if disrupted there, but not a full 99% worldwide blackout. 

The internet connection could be disrupted through accidental or collateral damage from mines, attacks, or restricted repairs in active war zones, as mentioned in certain reports.

Meanwhile, deliberate Iranian targeting of cables remains unconfirmed and would likely harm Iran's own connectivity and allies more than adversaries, reducing its strategic appeal.