Iran is reportedly threatening to damage undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz, potentially imposing costs on the US and generating revenue for itself. This tactic highlights the potential for economic and military coercion.

<p>Military and economic coercion usually costs the coercer as well as the target. But by threatening undersea cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz, Iran may have found a way to impose heavy costs on the US government and private sector while generating revenue for itself—at least in the short term.</p>