As internet connectivity fuels innovation worldwide, Iran remains a glaring exception, shackled by state-imposed digital restrictions.

The Iranian regime’s heavy-handed control over cyberspace marked by sluggish speeds, pervasive filtering, and glaring hypocrisy has turned a tool for progress into a battleground for repression. Recent revelations by Abolhassan Firouzabadi, former head of Iran’s Supreme Cyberspace Council, have further spotlighted the regime’s faltering internet policies.

In an interview on December 20, 2024, Firouzabadi acknowledged the inefficacy of Iran’s internet censorship. Despite bans on platforms like Instagram, Telegram, and WhatsApp, tens of millions of Iranians continue to access them via VPNs, rendering filtering efforts “meaningless.” His statements revealed that domestic platforms, such as Eitaa controlled by the government and affiliated with entities like the Qom Seminary—have failed to meet the public’s needs despite significant investment.

Firouzabadi also criticized the arbitrary nature of censorship, noting its enforcement stems from pressure groups rather than legal mandates. Originally intended as a temporary measure, filtering has now become a permanent tool of repression, contradicting earlier promises by President Masoud Pezeshkian to ease restrictions. Meanwhile, former MP Rasoul Rashidi-Kouchi disclosed that 85% of Iranians rely on VPNs, underscoring the population’s dissatisfaction with the regime’s policies.

Iran’s digital isolation is starkly visible in global internet rankings. According to Speedtest, Iran lags at 72nd place for mobile internet speed, far behind regional neighbors like the UAE and Qatar. While these nations leverage connectivity for innovation, Iran prioritizes control, stifling opportunities for education, business, and social interaction.

Adding to the controversy is the regime’s hypocrisy: many officials, including members of the Supreme Cyberspace Council, use VPNs to access banned platforms for personal and professional purposes. Efforts to create “tiered internet access” for select groups collapsed amid public outcry, further eroding trust in the regime’s policies.

Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei’s framing of the internet as a “psychological threat” reveals the regime’s fear of losing control over public discourse. Yet, as citizens continue to bypass restrictions and demand greater freedom, the government’s credibility falters. Firouzabadi’s admissions expose the unsustainable nature of these policies, amplifying calls for reform.

As Iran lags in digital development, its leadership faces a stark choice: embrace connectivity or remain mired in repression, risking further alienation from its people and the global community.

MEK Iran (follow us on Twitter and Facebook), Maryam Rajavi’s on her site, Twitter & Facebook, NCRI  (Twitter & Facebook), and People’s Mojahedin Organization of Iran – MEK IRAN – YouTu