Oil isn’t the only risk anymore: How Iran’s Hormuz plan could disrupt Google, Meta and Amazon services; know the reason here

Since the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28, the Strait of Hormuz has become a major flashpoint in the growing geopolitical conflict. Iran responded by tightening control over shipping movements in the narrow waterway, while US President Donald Trump later announced a naval blockade targeting Iranian-linked ships and ports.

Over the past three months, the region has witnessed naval stand-offs, drone attacks, missile interceptions, stranded oil tankers, and rising tensions over who controls safe passage through one of the world’s busiest trade routes. At one point, hundreds of commercial ships were stuck in Gulf waters, insurance costs increased sharply, and global markets feared a major disruption in oil supplies.

Focus Shifts From Oil to Internet Cables

As tensions increased, attention also turned towards another critical infrastructure hidden beneath the waters, undersea internet cables.

Iranian state-linked media and groups connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have suggested that Tehran may seek greater control over submarine fibre-optic cables running through and around the Strait of Hormuz.

These cables are extremely important because they carry most of the world’s digital traffic, including cloud computing data, financial transactions, AI systems, and online communications used by companies like Google, Meta Platforms, Amazon, and Microsoft.

The New Global Chokepoint Is Data

Most global internet traffic does not move through satellites. Instead, it travels through fibre-optic cables laid on the ocean floor. Several important international submarine cable systems pass through or near the Strait of Hormuz, making it one of the world’s most sensitive digital chokepoints.

Iranian media linked to the IRGC has argued that since these cables pass near Iranian waters, Tehran should have the authority to regulate them, charge operators, and supervise maintenance work. Some reports have even warned that cable traffic could face disruptions if companies do not cooperate. Experts believe Iran is increasingly viewing digital infrastructure as another strategic pressure point against Western countries.

Why Big Tech Companies Are Concerned

Over the years, major technology companies have invested heavily in subsea cable infrastructure to support their global cloud and internet businesses. Companies such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft now control or finance large portions of the world’s internet bandwidth through private cable systems and data infrastructure.

Any disruption in Gulf cable routes could affect much more than social media services. It could impact cloud servers, banking systems, logistics operations, financial markets, and communication networks across different countries. This is why experts now consider submarine cables to be as important as oil pipelines and power grids.

Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters for India and the World

The Gulf region connects Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, making it a key route for internet and data traffic. A large share of India’s internet traffic to Europe reportedly passes through submarine cable systems linked to Gulf and Red Sea routes. Any disruption could slow cloud services, banking systems, and online platforms used by millions of people.

The Gulf is also becoming an important hub for AI and data centres. Countries like the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are investing heavily in cloud infrastructure supported by American technology companies.

This means the same region that powers the world’s oil economy is also becoming critical for the global digital economy.

Can Iran Really Control Internet Cables?

International maritime laws generally protect submarine cable operations, and many cable systems are managed by multinational companies. Experts say most major cables are designed to avoid Iranian territorial waters where possible. However, even small disruptions or threats can create major panic because undersea cables are difficult and expensive to repair. Repair ships require permissions, secure access, and stable conditions, especially in conflict zones.

Analysts believe Iran may not need to fully cut internet traffic to create pressure. Even threats, delays, or regulatory uncertainty could increase insurance costs, slow maintenance work, and force companies to rethink their global data routes.

Many experts also believe Iran’s messaging is partly psychological, aimed at showing that Western digital systems still depend on physical infrastructure that can become vulnerable during conflicts. The world has long worried about oil chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Now, control over digital data routes may become just as important in future global conflicts.