Iran Proposes Permits and Local Management for Undersea Cables in Its Waters in the Strait of Hormuz

Iran is considering taking control of 7 undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz. Under the new Iranian policy, foreign operators would be required to obtain permits to use the undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz, pay fees and follow Iranian law. All management and maintenance of the undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz would be handled by Iranian companies.

Iranian state media called for taking control of the undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz and charging fees. The IRGC has previously warned it could target the undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz.

The undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz are critical for data traffic between Europe, Asia, and the Gulf. Eleven undersea cables run through the Strait of Hormuz. A ship seizure occurred in the Strait of Hormuz in April 2026.

Since February 28, Tehran has carried out more than 20 attacks on ships in waters surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Joint Maritime Information Center. Iran has deposited land mines in the Strait of Hormuz and attacked onshore targets in Gulf states.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has kept 20 percent of the global oil supply trapped inside the Persian Gulf and 20 percent of the global supply of liquefied natural gas trapped inside the Persian Gulf.

Critical commodities such as helium, aluminum, and urea are trapped inside the Persian Gulf due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. efforts to evacuate ships from the Strait of Hormuz have been met with a renewed barrage of Iranian missiles and drones.