By early March, Iran’s military effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz, and within days, commercial shipping through this critical waterway had virtually ceased. These subsea cables threading through both maritime chokepoints form the literal backbone of the global digital world. Countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe depend on data flowing freely through the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz to reach each other. While Iran’s blockade has shut down the Strait of Hormuz, the situation in the Red Sea has also deteriorated, with the Houthis threatening to resume their attacks on shipping in solidarity with Iran. Iran’s military has made it clear that sending slow-moving, stationary repair vessels into the strait is suicidal.

Source: The Hindu March 18, 2026 12:37 UTC