Iran Wants Control of Hormuz Internet Cables: The $10 Trillion Internet Chokepoint
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has proposed requiring foreign cable operators to obtain permits, pay transit fees, and allow Iranian companies to manage repairs for undersea fiber-optic cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, framing it as a geopolitical power lever. The move threatens global internet traffic, as 99% of international data flows through these cables, including critical financial and cloud services connecting Asia, the Gulf, and Europe.
Iran is pushing for greater control over seven undersea fiber-optic cables running through the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could disrupt global internet and financial systems. The Revolutionary Guard Corps proposed foreign operators obtain Iranian permits, pay transit charges, and allow Iranian firms to oversee maintenance and repairs within the strait’s waters. Iranian state media described the cables as a national asset, positioning them as a tool for geopolitical influence amid heightened tensions with the United States. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global communications, with major systems like the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 cable and the FALCON network passing through it. These cables carry nearly all international internet traffic—including banking transfers, cloud computing, and corporate communications—due to their unmatched speed and capacity compared to satellite alternatives. Countries like India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Southeast Asian nations rely heavily on these routes for connectivity. The proposal goes beyond transit fees, demanding foreign companies comply with Iranian laws and grant domestic firms oversight of repairs. This raises concerns about operational disruptions during military tensions, as repair access in conflict zones is already complex. Most cable damage occurs accidentally—from fishing vessels or anchors—but military activity adds new risks in the congested strait. Undersea cables are vulnerable despite their importance, with repairs requiring specialized vessels to locate and fix faults deep underwater. Iran’s push mirrors its historical strategy of leveraging the Strait of Hormuz, traditionally a flashpoint for oil disruptions. Now, Tehran is expanding its influence to digital infrastructure, threatening to turn a maritime dispute into a global communications crisis. Analysts warn the move could escalate tensions, as the cables underpin the digital economy. Governments and telecommunications firms are monitoring the situation closely, fearing potential disruptions to critical services if Iran enforces its demands. The proposal highlights the hidden but vital role of submarine cables in global stability, far beyond their physical presence on the ocean floor.
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