Iran is aiming to carve out a role as a key data transit corridor linking Asia, Europe, and the Persian Gulf, according to new details released by the country's government on February 2. 

At the "Iran Corridor 2025" conference in Dubai, Deputy Minister of Communications Behzad Akbari laid out Iran’s strategy to strengthen connectivity.

The plan is geared towards meeting regional demand by beefing up fibre-optic networks, expanding submarine cable projects, and rolling out new data centres.

Recalling Iran’s long history as a linchpin of trade and cultural exchange, Akbari said, “Iran is ready to step into a similar role in the digital era. The future of the digital economy in our region hinges on a strong, stable, and secure digital infrastructure.”

Akbari, who also heads the Iranian Telecommunication Infrastructure Company, stressed the country’s full commitment to throwing its weight behind the region’s digital ecosystem by sharing infrastructure and resources.

Akbari noted that one of the key challenges in the Middle East’s internet landscape is that under 10% of consumed traffic is processed locally, with the lion’s share still being routed through Europe.

Looking ahead to 2030, he forecasted that internet traffic consumption in the region would surge at an annual rate of around 30%, surpassing 600 terabits per second. “To stay ahead of the curve, we must localise a greater share of regional traffic by building up and linking the communication networks of neighbouring countries,” he said.

The conference, designed to showcase Iran’s potential as a secure and dependable data transit route, pulled in high-level telecom officials and operators from 15 regional nations. Held just one day before the Capacity Middle East 2025, the event drew representatives from around 140 companies, underlining the growing interest in Iran’s role in digital connectivity.

Akbari outlined three significant initiatives aimed at shoring up Iran’s position as a digital transit corridor. First on the list is ramping up high-capacity cross-border data transmission, capitalising on Iran’s extensive fibre-optic and optical transmission networks, which crisscross all national borders.

He pointed out this would enable 100 Gbps circuits between neighbouring states and serve as a “data bridge” between Asia and Europe.

The second initiative centres on expanding submarine fibre-optic links in the Persian Gulf and the Caspian Sea.

Akbari said Iran is ready to collaborate with neighbouring countries to develop these undersea cables through bilateral agreements or within a broader regional consortium. Such moves, he argued, would tighten direct connectivity, making data exchanges faster and more secure.

The third pillar of Iran’s digital roadmap is the establishment of high-efficiency data centres. With five strategically placed locations for cloud data hubs and a climate suited for clean energy use, Iran offers an appealing base for regional digital services.

Akbari added that these facilities could become “hubs for digital innovation and service development.”

Iran’s geographical position, straddling East-West and North-South trade corridors, puts it in a prime spot to offer a safe and efficient terrestrial data transit route. “Iran can serve as a bridge between East and West, North and South, providing a reliable pathway for data transit,” Akbari asserted.

He also highlighted the country’s digital talent pool, which aims to drive regional technological growth.

Also in attendance at the event was Iran’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister, Sattar Hashemi, who underlined the country’s ambitions in artificial intelligence (AI).  

Hashemi stressed that AI development goes hand in hand with strong data and communication networks, calling them “the backbone of AI-driven innovation.”

Despite economic sanctions, Hashemi noted that Iran has built a resilient digital economy, pointing to the success of local telecom operators and major digital platforms such as Snapp and Digikala, which serve millions of users. He argued that These platforms churn out vast, multi-dimensional datasets crucial for AI advancement.