Iranian media outlets associated with the Revolutionary Guards called for imposing 'protection fees' on Western countries for undersea internet cables passing through the Strait of Hormuz. This was reported by the Iranian news agency Tasnim, which added that Tehran relies on what it defines as 'sovereignty' over the seabed, in accordance with Article 34 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. Accordingly, Tasnim called for imposing initial licensing fees and annual payments on foreign companies, and requiring tech giants such as Meta, Amazon and Microsoft to comply, alongside granting exclusivity over cable maintenance and repairs.