The Minister of Communications reassures regarding Iran’s internet shutdown: We have alternative routes, and the cable cuts increase Iraq’s importance as a transit hub.
The Minister of Communications reassures regarding Iran’s internet shutdown: We have alternative routes, and the cable cuts increase Iraq’s importance as a transit hub.
2026-10-22
Shafaq News – Baghdad
Communications Minister Mustafa Sand reassured the public on Thursday regarding reports and concerns about the potential targeting or cutting of submarine cables and internet lines through Iran or the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that Iraq has alternative international outlets that guarantee service stability and increase the country’s flexibility as a pivotal hub for internet (transit) capacity.
This came during his participation in a dialogue session held on the sidelines of the “Internet Governance Forum in Iraq 2026” in the capital, Baghdad, in the presence of a correspondent from Shafaq News Agency.
The minister said that Iraq is connected to about 11 international border crossings, including 6 crossings with Iran and other crossings with the rest of the neighboring countries, indicating that in the event of any disruption to the submarine cables in the Gulf or the Strait of Hormuz, Iraq’s strategic position will be positively enhanced in terms of the passage of internet traffic (transit) between East and West.
In another context, Sand called for opening the field to national programming and creating local electronic applications developed by Iraqi hands to reduce complete dependence on imported foreign applications, stressing the ability of Iraqi developers to provide competitive technological alternatives.
Regarding organizational overlap, the minister pointed out that there is an overlap in powers and responsibilities between the Ministry of Communications and the Media and Communications Commission, stressing the need to resolve and define jurisdictions precisely to ensure that the public interest prevails and to avoid administrative confusion.
Regarding the national license and the fifth generation (5G) file, Sand revealed that the disputes related to the Vodafone project have been resolved, indicating that the project is entering the door of open competition and that the operating companies (Asia Cell and Zain Iraq) must prepare for this competition, noting that the judiciary is moving towards lifting the guardianship order related to the file.
The Minister of Communications concluded his statement by describing Iraq as the “dark horse” in the communications and internet sector, stressing that it has achieved continuous progress at a rate of 4 places per month in international indicators, as the number of fiber optic cable subscribers has exceeded two million, while network coverage has reached more than 5 million homes.
shafaq.com
