Electronic warfare in the Persian Gulf: How GPS interference is disrupting the Middle East

Since the outbreak of the U.S.-Israel war with Iran on February 28, GPS interference has severely disrupted location-based services across the Persian Gulf, affecting navigation, communication, and daily life for residents and commercial vessels in the strategically important waterway. The electronic warfare campaign has created widespread confusion among mariners, with ships reporting inaccurate position readings, while airlines have been forced to alter flight paths to avoid navigation blackspots in the region. The GPS interference represents a significant escalation in the electronic dimension of the ongoing conflict between the U.S.-Israel coalition and Iranian forces, with military analysts suggesting Iran is employing sophisticated jamming equipment and potentially spoofing technologies to mask the movement of its naval assets while simultaneously disrupting Western military and commercial operations. This tactic has proven particularly effective in the confined waters of the Persian Gulf, where accurate positioning is critical for safe navigation. The disruption has far-reaching consequences for global trade, as approximately 20% of world oil shipments pass through the Strait of Hormuz, with commercial shipping companies reporting increased operational costs and delays, while insurance premiums for vessels transiting the area have risen significantly. Electronic warfare experts warn that the current GPS interference could potentially escalate to affect other satellite-based services, including weather forecasting, telecommunications, and military command-and-control systems.