Iranian state-linked media have floated the idea of charging US tech companies for using undersea internet cables that pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Tasnim and Fars news agencies suggested this could generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually, leveraging Iran's geographic position over the 25-mile waterway.
At least seven cables traverse the strait, many critical for the AI infrastructure buildout in Gulf states. However, the proposal faces significant legal and practical hurdles. International law generally protects freedom of navigation and cable laying, making unilateral tolls legally dubious.
Analysts view the threat as more rhetorical than actionable, given the risk of escalation with the US and Israel. While Iran could theoretically disrupt cables, such an act would likely trigger severe retaliation and damage its own internet connectivity.
The proposal appears aimed at extracting leverage amid tensions, rather than a feasible revenue stream. Experts note that undersea cables are resilient, with alternative routes bypassing the strait, limiting Iran's actual coercive power.
