Iran threatens to cut undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding “passage fees” from Google and Microsoft

Odaily Odaily reported that Iran has found a new bargaining chip, threatening to charge fees for undersea cables traversing the Strait of Hormuz, or else face network disruptions. Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon have been specifically named. Experts warn that any such action could trigger a “cascading digital catastrophe” affecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The escalating tensions center on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital global energy corridor. Iran is now shifting its focus beyond traditional oil shipments to a more concealed yet equally critical infrastructure: submarine communication cables. These cables, laid across the strait and the Persian Gulf, carry the vast majority of internet and financial data traffic between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, forming a crucial backbone of the global digital ecosystem.

Recently, Iranian authorities have sent out a series of signals, attempting to convert their geographic control over these waters into new economic and strategic leverage. Tehran is not only discussing charging multinational tech companies that use these cables but also, through official affiliated channels, hinting that data transmission could face disruption risks if relevant parties refuse to comply. (Jinshi)