Iran threatens to impose fees on subsea cables in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran says it plans to charge tolls on undersea internet cables crossing the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global data traffic.

The move could put pressure on major operators and tech firms such as Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon to follow Iranian rules.

Because the strait is a major chokepoint for fiber-optic links, any disruption could ripple across banking, cloud, and communications services.

Analysts warn the proposal adds new risk to already fragile global connectivity routes amid wider regional security tensions.