According to Bloomberg, DatacenterDynamics, and the Stimson Center, the war in Iran has forced Meta and its partners to suspend work on the Gulf segment of the 2Africa submarine cable project. The cable extends for more than 45,000 kilometers and is intended to connect Europe, Africa, and Asia through the Gulf.
French contractor Alcatel Submarine Networks, responsible for installation, formally notified customers that it could not continue work because of military risks in the Strait of Hormuz.
Its installation vessel, Ile De Batz, was stranded in the Saudi port of Dammam, awaiting the end of military operations.
The war has effectively closed vital shipping routes following Iranian drone and missile strikes on commercial vessels.
Other projects, including Sea-Me-We 6 and Qatar-based Ooredoo's FIG cable, have also stopped.
Experts expect greater temporary reliance on terrestrial cables through Saudi Arabia and Oman to maintain connectivity, but warn this will slow regional internet speeds.
The Stimson Center also warned that Iran could target submarine cables or lay naval mines in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening the security of the Gulf's digital infrastructure.
These developments could delay digital transformation projects in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar, creating challenges for maintaining stable international connectivity during the crisis.
Iran War Delays Submarine Internet Cable Deployment in the Gulf
The ongoing war between Iran and the United States and its allies has halted submarine internet cable installation in the Gulf. Contractors issued force-majeure notices because of military risks at sea, threatening regional digital transformation plans.
