Iranians Reap Profits from Salvaging Large Quantities of iPhones for Online Resale
According to Israel's Channel 14, newly recovered iPhones salvaged from the Strait of Hormuz have begun appearing on domestic Iranian e-commerce platforms for public sale.
The Israeli media outlet described the incident as one of the most bizarre developments of the year. A container ship registered under Singaporean nationality reportedly caught fire and sank suddenly in the Strait of Hormuz. According to Iranian authorities, the vessel went down after striking a mine. Rumors circulated that the cargo included primarily Apple smartphones, alongside large quantities of luxury perfumes and other high-end goods. Following the sinking, Iranian fishermen and nearby residents quickly sailed to the site to recover iPhones that had scattered from the wrecked vessel.
Given the scale of recovery, it is evident that individuals did not retrieve just a single device but multiple units. After acquiring these phones, local sellers began listing them on national e-commerce platforms at prices below standard retail value, marketing them as "sea-salted" iPhones. Images posted online show clear signs of seawater corrosion on the packaging of the iPhone 18 Pro Max models.
Channel 14 reported that professional divers accounted for the largest share of salvage operations, having retrieved multiple devices from the ocean floor. The outlet estimated that this activity could yield substantial profits. Although the new iPhones were submerged for an extended period, their advanced water resistance specifications suggest they may function normally once thoroughly dried.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1879383374305280/
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