Tehran Could Strike Where the World is Most Vulnerable: 'They've Found a New Weapon'

Iran is escalating its geopolitical maneuvering, moving beyond traditional threats related to oil and shipping in the Strait of Hormuz to target the very infrastructure of the global digital economy: undersea internet cables. As reported by CNN and highlighted by Večernji List, Tehran is exploring a new tactic to exert pressure, potentially by imposing fees on global tech giants for the use of cables that traverse this vital maritime passage.

This strategy, if implemented, could have far-reaching implications. The undersea cables are the backbone of the internet, carrying the vast majority of global data traffic, from critical financial transactions and military communications to the burgeoning cloud systems powering AI, remote work, and online entertainment. The Iranian regime, through state-affiliated media, has indirectly warned that this digital traffic could be jeopardized if companies do not comply with its demands.

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Iran wants to impose such a high price on the global economy that no one dares to attack it anymore.

While the exact mechanism for enforcement remains unclear, especially given international sanctions, the threat itself is significant. Analysts suggest that Iran's aim is to demonstrate that any conflict could inflict substantial damage on the global economy, thereby raising the stakes prohibitively high for any potential aggressor. This move signals a shift towards utilizing asymmetrical capabilities that extend beyond conventional military power.

From a regional perspective, this development is particularly concerning. The Strait of Hormuz is already a flashpoint, and adding the vulnerability of global internet infrastructure to the mix creates a new layer of instability. Večernji List emphasizes that these threats should not be dismissed lightly, as Iran appears determined to underscore its ability to disrupt global systems and impose a 'price' on the international community that deters aggression. The focus on technological leverage represents a calculated escalation in Iran's ongoing strategic calculus.

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Iran will 'introduce fees for internet cables'.