Iran Threatens Tech Giants with Internet Shutdown — CNN
The Islamic Republic of Iran has announced its intention to charge the world’s largest technology companies for the use of undersea internet cables laid along the bottom of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.
This was reported by the authoritative international news outlet CNN.
Official Tehran has issued an ultimatum, threatening to completely block or interrupt digital transit traffic if financial payments are refused.
This move could paralyze a significant portion of global financial transactions and data exchange between the world’s leading economic centers.
The Iranian military leadership’s new initiative aims to monetize control over a geographically vital sea passage, which was previously used primarily to exert pressure on the oil market.
Now Tehran is attempting to extend its influence over the digital infrastructure that underpins the operations of many modern corporations. The resolve of these intentions is confirmed by official statements from the country’s high-ranking officials.
“We will introduce a fee for the use of internet cables,” said Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a representative of the Iranian armed forces.
The new demands from the Iranian side directly affect the largest American and multinational technology corporations, which control vast amounts of data.
Iran intends to require large companies such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon to comply with Iranian law. Companies that own undersea cables will be required to pay licensing fees for their installation.
Furthermore, only Iranian companies will be eligible to obtain rights for repair and maintenance.
However, the practical implementation of this plan is met with skepticism by international experts due to the strict economic restrictions in place against the Islamic regime.
Due to U.S. sanctions, many of the largest technology companies cannot make payments to Iran. That is why it is unclear how Tehran plans to implement its plan and force businesses to pay in circumvention of international law.
Despite the absence of direct military action against cable networks, analysts view these statements as a serious threat to the cybersecurity of many countries.
Iran has not explicitly stated that it intends to damage the cables if companies refuse to pay for their use. However, Tehran has repeatedly threatened to punish U.S. allies in the region.
Iran’s military capabilities allow it to carry out complex sabotage operations on the seabed using special forces.
Combat divers from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps could pose a threat to undersea cables, and any attack could trigger a “digital catastrophe.”
Gulf countries could face serious disruptions to their internet connectivity, which would most likely affect oil and gas exports as well as the banking sector.
The strait’s geographical location makes it an indispensable link in the global telecommunications system, as alternative routes are more expensive and complex.
This is also confirmed by analysts who study the architecture of the global internet network.
“This strait is a key digital corridor between Asian data centers, such as Singapore, and certain cable landing points in Europe,” Habtoor Research Center researcher Mostafa Ahmed told reporters.
Trump announced the continuation of the military campaign against Iran
The U.S. Central Command stated that Iran has been significantly weakened following the conflict with the United States and is no longer capable of operating with its former military might. Officials in Washington assert that strikes against Tehran’s infrastructure and allies will have long-term consequences.
The Strait of Hormuz has once again come to a near standstill
The U.S. military also struck the vessel Touska, which was attempting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz under the Iranian flag despite the blockade.
Recall that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu does not consider the war with Iran to be over.
