Iran's security chief Mohsen Rezaei warned in mid-October 2026 that communication cables, data centers, and AI facilities in the Gulf could become targets if fighting with the United States resumes, citing stalled ceasefire talks over the Strait of Hormuz and sanctions relief. Multiple undersea cables already transit the narrow strait, creating chokepoints for Europe-Asia traffic, while past Red Sea disruptions linked to Iran-backed Houthis have shown how maritime conflict can damage infrastructure through missile strikes or anchor drags. Traders currently assign low implied probabilities to direct Iranian or proxy damage by late 2026 deadlines, reflecting assessments of deterrence, repair challenges, and diplomatic off-ramps. Upcoming developments in Hormuz shipping rules or renewed U.S.-Iran exchanges could shift positioning.