The regime media argues, that Iran has the right to extend its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz. This applies not only to the transportation of crude oil also optical fibers laid in this area.
These are three important transmission lines: AAE-1, FALCON and Gulf Bridge International Cable System. It's these fiber optics $10 trillion worth of financial transactions are transferred every day. (approx. PLN 36 trillion).
The new source of income that Tehran is counting on is intended to help compensate for losses in oil exports reaching up to USD 220 million. (approx. PLN 790 million) per day. These losses are the result of the US counter-blockade. Its goal is to cut off Iranian ports and ships from world trade.
International companies would be dependent on Iran
Iranian media explain how undersea internet cables would become a new “important source of income” for the regime: Tehran could impose annual licensing fees on foreign companies to use these connections.
Moreover, according to controversial plans, Iranian companies would be taken over in the future exclusive control over the repair and maintenance of these lines. This way, in the event of a failure, international companies would be dependent on Iranian aid.
The plan has not only economic but also political implications: American tech giants such as Meta, Amazon and Microsoft could use undersea cables only if they operate in the region according to “Iranian law” — including censorship.
Tehran threatens those who refuse: cutting the cables could result in a break within days regional and global economic losses amounting to “hundreds of millions of dollars”.
