Iran's threat to impose tariffs on submarine cables: a direct risk to the connectivity of Spanish companies with Asia

Royalty-free stock photograph created by Matt Str and Unsplash.

Digital Geopolitics and Global Connectivity

Iran's proposal to tax data traffic through submarine cables in its territorial waters is generating considerable uncertainty. The measure could increase the cost and slow down connectivity between Europe and Asia, directly impacting logistics, e-commerce, and the operations of Spanish companies.

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The recent threat from the government of Irán The imposition of tariffs on data traffic flowing through submarine internet cables in its territorial waters has raised alarms in EuropaThis measure, unprecedented in the network's history, could directly impact the competitiveness of Spanish companies with interests in [the region/country]. Asia, from importers and exporters to digital service companies.

The Strait of Hormuz as a "digital customs"

Submarine cables are the critical infrastructure that supports more than 95% of global internet traffic. A significant part of the connectivity between Europa And the booming Asian markets cross strategic geographical points, such as the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf, bordering Iranian jurisdiction. Digital geopolitics experts consulted by Empresa Exterior They warn that the proposal of Irán seeks to create a "bottleneck" or a "digital customs" in one of the most sensitive points on the planet.

The move is interpreted in a context of geopolitical tensions, where the administration of the US president Donald Trump maintains a policy of maximum pressure on Teherán"Using digital infrastructure as a tool for pressure is a new frontier in international conflicts. It could set a very dangerous precedent for net neutrality and freedom," the sources consulted stated.

Direct impact on the Spanish value chain

For Spanish businesses, the consequences of a "digital toll" of this magnitude would be far-reaching, affecting multiple sectors that depend on seamless, low-latency connectivity. AsiaThe main areas of risk are:

• Logistics and Supply Chain: An increase in latency (network response time) or data traffic cost would severely harm real-time traceability platforms, stock management connected with Asian suppliers, and customs operations that rely on instant document transmission.
• E-commerce and Digital Services: Spanish companies operating in Asian markets or using cloud service providers with data centers in the region would see their platform performance decline, affecting user experience and, consequently, sales.
• Financial sector: International banking operations and transactions that require fast and secure data communication with stock exchanges and financial institutions Asia They could experience delays and an increase in operating costs.
• Industry 4.0 and Cloud Computing: Companies that use IoT (Internet of Things) solutions or manage production data in the cloud with partners or factories in Asia They would face less reliable and more expensive connectivity.

Risk Table for Spanish Sectors

Affected Sector	Risk level	Key Consequences
Logistics and Transportation	High	Delays in traceability, additional costs in customs management.
E-commerce and Digital	High	Worse user experience, drop in sales, increased cloud costs.
Finance and Banking	Medium-High	Increased transaction latency, operational risk.
Industry 4.0	Medium	Lower reliability in the management of remote production data.

A dangerous precedent for global trade

According to Ana garcía, critical infrastructure analyst consulted by Empresa ExteriorThe greatest danger is not so much the immediate economic cost as the precedent it sets.We are witnessing an attempt to turn digital connectivity into a weapon of geopolitical negotiation. If this measure succeeds, we could see other countries in strategic locations replicate the model, fragmenting the global internet and creating 'data tariffs' that would increase the cost of all digital trade.", it states García.

The international community and telecommunications operators are closely watching the next moves of IránThe response of the Unión Europea It will be key to defending the neutrality of an infrastructure that is, now more than ever, the backbone of foreign business.

Key points and frequently asked questions about tariffs on submarine cables

How does this measure affect a Spanish exporting company?

Directly. If your company is constantly communicating with suppliers, customers, or branches in AsiaYou could experience lower quality video conferencing, slow transfer of large files (plans, contracts) and an increase in internet and cloud service bills if operators pass on the cost of the tariff.

Are there alternative routes for data traffic?

Yes, there are alternative routes, such as those that go around África or those that cross the Pacífico by América del NorteHowever, these routes are longer, which implies higher latency, and could become congested if much of the traffic is diverted, also increasing their costs. The route that passes through the Mar Rojo y Suez It remains the most efficient among Europa and much of Asia.

What should Spanish companies do to prepare?

Managers should audit their reliance on connectivity with Asiaassess the impact of a potential cost increase or service degradation, and consult with your telecommunications and cloud service providers about contingency plans and data route diversification.