Operation Ivy Bells

Operation Ivy Bells was a U.S. secret program during the Cold War aimed at intercepting and listening to Soviet submarine communications. Conducted in the 1970s, it involved placing listening devices on underwater cables used by the Soviets. These devices, sometimes referred to as "tapping" the cables, allowed the U.S. to gather intelligence on Soviet naval operations. The operation highlighted the lengths to which both superpowers would go to monitor each other’s activities and was part of broader espionage efforts during tense military and political times.