Communications Minister Must Fight and Negotiate to Restore Internet Connectivity

According to the policy news service of Saednews, and quoting the newspaper Ettelaat, Ali-Asghar Shafieian challenged the current state of communications in the country, stating:

“We must be honest with the people; what we currently have is not internet, but a very limited internal network. Iran was never supposed to move toward a ‘North Korea’ model, and insisting on maintaining this situation is completely wrong and anti-security.”

He rejected claims made by some so-called experts and added:

“Contrary to those who consider the internet a factor that intensifies conflict, the Minister of Communications himself has explicitly acknowledged in private meetings, even in the presence of the president, that cutting off global internet access is a strategic mistake from a security perspective.”

The illusion of benefit from domestic platforms under network restrictions

Regarding beneficiaries of internet filtering, he told CitaNA:

“Some domestic apps and websites believe they benefit from cutting off international internet access, but the reality is that in a closed and non-competitive environment, these platforms will never grow or reach technical and security maturity. This situation is completely against national interests and security.”

“President Pezeshkian supports reopening the internet”

In response to a question about the president’s role in restoring internet access, Shafieian said:

“Mr. Pezeshkian, as head of the Supreme National Security Council, fully supports reopening the internet and restoring people’s rights. Decisions by the SNSC have always been temporary and have never issued permanent shutdown orders. Now that the head of the government agrees, it is the direct responsibility of the Minister of Communications to work toward implementing this view.”

He emphasized:

“The Minister of Communications must act on behalf of the people’s vote, and advocate within bodies such as the Supreme Council of Cyberspace.”

Tiered internet and paralysis of small businesses

Referring to the emergence of “professional internet” and “white SIM cards,” the media activist said:

“Tiered internet may serve as a temporary relief for small segments of society, but it can never be sustainable. Currently, social communication, entertainment, and most importantly people’s businesses have been paralyzed. Access to the world is a right of the people and should not be delayed in a way that fulfills the wishes of supporters of a North Korea-style model.”

“Unblocking Google is not enough”

In conclusion, Shafieian stated:

“Simply unblocking Gmail or Google is by no means an improvement. People expect full restoration of global internet access. Communication, livelihoods, and even leisure activities have been severely disrupted due to this prolonged restriction, and urgent action must be taken to address them.”