US President Donald Trump has signaled that Washington may launch a new military operation against Iran, as the ongoing conflict approaches its eight-month mark. Speaking at a rally in Florida on Friday, the President referred to the potential action as another "little Epic Fury," echoing the name given to the military campaign that began on February 28. This warning follows reports that Tehran is preparing to target critical undersea communications cables in the Gulf should the US and Israel resume their offensive.
Addressing the possibility of a diplomatic resolution, Trump expressed skepticism regarding Tehran's intentions. "If they're smart, they'll just say, 'Let's get down to business.' But, you know, I doubt they'll do that because perhaps they're not smart," he stated. Earlier at the White House, the President noted that while the US could conclude the war quickly, he remained undecided on whether to pursue an immediate end or allow the conflict to continue. He also confirmed that oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz remain ongoing, asserting, "We are getting everything we want."
Reports from The New York Times suggest that US and Israeli military planners have identified potential targets for renewed strikes following the upcoming midterm elections, including Iranian energy infrastructure, nuclear facilities, and missile arsenals. Meanwhile, international concern is mounting. During a meeting in Istanbul, foreign ministers from several nations, including Turkey, France, and Germany, warned that further escalation would be counterproductive. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated, "A military intervention on Iran is not in any way a solution. Nobody approves this at the moment," while French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot cautioned that such a move would likely trigger a sharp rise in hydrocarbon prices.
Tehran’s threat to target internet infrastructure has raised alarms regarding regional stability. Yadollah Javani, a senior official with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, indicated that seven major internet cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz could be targeted if Iranian infrastructure is attacked. An Iranian official, speaking on condition of anonymity, warned that "there will be no more red lines" if the country is struck, suggesting that both undersea cables and military bases are at risk. Analysts suggest these threats are intended to pressure Gulf states and international corporations to lobby the US government against further military escalation.
While the International Telecommunication Union notes that undersea cables carry 99 per cent of global internet traffic, experts suggest the impact of a strike in the Strait of Hormuz might be contained, as less than 1 per cent of global bandwidth passes through that specific corridor. Nevertheless, disruptions to financial services and cloud computing remain a concern, particularly as Gulf nations continue to invest heavily in technology and artificial intelligence. Previous strikes in March already impacted Amazon Web Services facilities in the UAE and Bahrain, and the IRGC has previously identified major US technology firms as potential targets.
