Iran Threatens Global Digital Disruption by Imposing Fees on Undersea Internet Cables
Iran has announced plans to impose fees on undersea internet cables that pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical 'digital corridor' for global finance, cloud services, and communications. This move, reported by CNN, raises concerns about potential disruptions to internet traffic and financial data flow between Europe, Asia, and Gulf states. Iranian military spokesperson Ebrahim Zolfaghari stated that major technology companies, including Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, would be required to comply with Iranian law and pay usage fees. Additionally, cable-laying companies would need to pay for passage through the strait, with repair and maintenance rights granted exclusively to Iranian firms. The situation is further complicated by U.S. sanctions, which could prevent technology companies from transferring money to Iran even if they wanted to comply. 
