Shipping in the vital Strait of Hormuz has been severely disrupted since the start of hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran, with over 1,100 vessels experiencing GPS jamming or spoofing attacks. The disruptions began following the first US-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets on February 28th, according to maritime intelligence firm Windward.
Electronic Warfare Intensifies: Ships are having their locations falsified, appearing inland on maps – including near sensitive sites like nuclear power plants. This is not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a serious safety risk. Inaccurate positioning can lead to collisions, groundings, or even catastrophic oil spills.
The interference takes two primary forms: jamming, which overwhelms satellite signals, and spoofing, which creates entirely false signals. While jamming simply disrupts navigation, spoofing can deliberately mislead vessels, creating significant operational hazards. Windward has identified 21 new clusters of jamming activity in recent days across Iranian, UAE, Qatari, and Omani waters.
Escalating Regional Instability: This escalation in electronic warfare comes amid a broader surge in GPS attacks linked to conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. The deliberate disruption of navigation systems can also hinder military operations, interfering with drones and missiles that rely on precise location data.
The Strait of Hormuz is already a high-risk zone due to geopolitical tensions, and this new wave of cyber-attacks adds another layer of danger. Similar GPS interference was reported during previous exchanges of fire between Israel and Iran in June 2025. The situation is volatile, and the safety of maritime traffic is under serious threat.
Commercial air travel has been largely grounded in the region, but there have been reports of electronic interference affecting flights as well. This suggests that the electronic warfare campaign extends beyond maritime targets, potentially disrupting civilian infrastructure as well.
The broader context matters: The disruption of GPS signals isn’t just a technical glitch; it’s a deliberate tactic used in modern warfare. It creates chaos, undermines trust in navigation systems, and can be used to gain a strategic advantage. The fact that this is happening in one of the world’s most important oil trade routes means the implications extend far beyond the immediate conflict zone.
The situation remains highly unstable, and the potential for escalation is significant. The disruption of GPS signals is a clear sign that the conflict is expanding beyond conventional warfare and entering a new era of electronic warfare.
