FACT-CHECK: Did Iran Threaten to Cut Undersea Cables Carrying 95% of the World’s Internet?
Claim: A viral screenshot circulating across social media platforms, particularly Facebook and X, claims that Iran has threatened to cut undersea cables responsible for carrying 95% of global internet traffic.
Background:: The widely shared post, written in alarmist language, reads in part: “IRAN JUST THREATENED TO CUT THE UNDERSEA CABLES THAT CARRY 95% OF THE WORLD’S INTERNET. THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING.” It goes further to suggest that these cables, lying on ocean floors, carry nearly all global communications and financial transactions, warning that any disruption could cripple the global economy and shut down markets.
The claim has triggered widespread concern among social media users and raised questions about the vulnerability of global digital infrastructure.
The narrative emerged amid heightened geopolitical tensions involving Iran, United States, and Israel. In recent weeks, reports have circulated suggesting that Iran or Iran-aligned groups could target undersea internet cables in strategic regions such as the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.
Verification: To verify the claim, PRNigeria’s fact-check team traced the origin of the viral screenshot and conducted a detailed review of available data. Findings show that the post began trending towards the end of March, 2026 and resurfaced on April 9, 2026, driven mainly by social media amplification rather than credible institutional sources.
Further investigation revealed that the claims in the screenshot were drawn from a mix of secondary and non-authoritative platforms, including content aggregation sites and blog-style educational pages, rather than recognised global telecom or infrastructure bodies. Notably, there is no credible authority, such as the International Telecommunication Union, that supports the assertion that a significant percentage, ranging from 17 to 30%, of global internet traffic passes through Iran.
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While it is widely established that about 95 to 99% of global internet traffic is transmitted through undersea cables, experts say this fact has been misapplied in the viral claim. The Strait of Hormuz is strategically important, but it is not a global internet chokepoint, and data traffic can be rerouted through multiple international cable systems in the event of disruption.
Checks of official Iranian government channels and verified communication X platforms show no evidence that Iran issued any threat to cut global undersea cables. Similarly, no credible international media organisations, including BBC, CNN, or Al Jazeera, have reported such a statement.
Although past incidents, including disruptions linked to regional conflicts, have affected internet connectivity in parts of the Middle East and South Asia, experts maintain that a total global internet shutdown remains highly unlikely due to built-in redundancies in global network systems.
Conclusion: PRNigeria’s investigation therefore finds that the viral claim is rooted in exaggerated statistics, misinterpreted data, and unverified reports. There is no credible evidence to support the assertion that Iran has threatened to cut undersea cables or that it controls a significant share of global internet traffic.
Verdict: FALSE
PRNigeria Fact-Check Desk applies open-source intelligence, official statements, cross-verification across multiple credible sources, and direct source confirmation. To report a claim for fact-checking, contact: [email protected]
PRNigeria Fact-Check Desk | [email protected] | www.prnigeria.com
By PRNigeria
