Iran's IRGC-aligned media is floating a proposal to charge major tech companies like Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft licensing fees for subsea cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz, require them to operate under Iranian law, and hand cable maintenance to Iranian firms. While not yet a formal government position, the idea draws on precedent set by Egypt's Telecom Egypt, which holds a monopoly over Red Sea cable routes and charges high transit fees. Experts warn that if multiple choke-point states adopt similar toll models, the cumulative effect could be a costlier and more fragmented global internet. The vulnerability is compounded by massive AI infrastructure investments pledged in the Gulf region, which lack protection against physical threats to undersea cables.
