Amidst the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran, the latter has imposed internet restrictions. This move was motivated by several factors, including preventing the flow of information and leaks during the conflict, as well as quelling internal protests and disinformation. Although these restrictions have been in place for months, it’s known that some VIP members retained access to networks, creating a ‘class-based internet’ system limited to high-ranking government officials and privileged sectors. All this occurs while Iran controls the internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz and plans to leverage them for its own benefit. Our reliance on these cables is significant, prompting the EU to consider an alternative involving a submarine cable in the Arctic region.
While Iran has not released official statements, some of its media outlets have discussed various strategies and plans related to its control over the internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz. These submarine cables traverse the region and connect globally, meaning millions of individuals and businesses depend on them. Consequently, Iran could potentially impose fees and licenses for internet usage through these cables.
The EU Aims to Mitigate Iran’s Cable Conflict by Launching its Polar Connect Project to Link Europe and Asia with an Arctic Submarine Internet Cable
The EU is preparing for the worst-case scenario. Given its dependence on submarine internet cables, it is actively exploring alternatives to prevent potential internet disruptions orchestrated by Iran. This strategy focuses on the Arctic region (near the North Pole), where the EU plans to lay a fiber optic submarine cable. This initiative is part of the new Polar Connect project and would establish a connection between Europe and Asia via a cable that traverses the Arctic Ocean.
Having observed the incidents involving severed and damaged submarine cables in recent years, it’s understandable why Europe is keen to avoid a recurrence. In 2024, a missile strike on a ship in the Red Sea resulted in damage to multiple cables, leading to unstable internet connections and outages in various European regions.
If the Conflict in Iran Damages Cables Passing Through Hormuz, European Internet Will Be Severely Affected, as 90% of Traffic Passes Through There
Due to their extreme depth, immense length, and location in remote, specific areas, repairing submarine cables is a protracted process. In the case of Iran’s submarine cables, even if the country refrains from actively blocking the connection, they could be damaged during the ongoing conflict. This would pose a significant problem, as it would impact approximately 90% of the internet traffic between Europe and Asia that traverses these routes.
By installing a cable in the North Pole, the EU ensures access through a region far from active conflicts and geopolitical issues. Furthermore, it would reduce latency between Europe and Asia due to the shorter route. However, this region presents its own challenges; icebergs can damage cables, and repairs would be time-consuming, especially during winter. If initiated now, the construction of the Arctic submarine cable is expected to be completed by 2030, meaning several years of work remain.
