In a striking revelation, Majid Ansari, presidential deputy for Legal Affairs under Masoud Pezeshkian, disclosed on November 11 that powerful factions within Iran are profiting from the sale of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and actively resisting efforts to ease internet censorship.

Speaking to ISNA, Ansari highlighted the lucrative industry exploiting the Iranian public’s need for unrestricted internet access, saying, “People are forced to rely on VPN sellers who make exorbitant profits, preventing any meaningful change.”Ansari’s admission underscores the shadowy ecosystem of censorship profiteers thriving under government oversight. Yet, this criticism does not reflect genuine support for citizens’ rights to free information. Instead, it appears to be a reaction to mounting public frustration with the financial and social burdens imposed by restrictive policies. Social Affairs Advisor Ali Rabiei recently noted that internet restrictions cost Iranians approximately $1 billion annually, hinting at growing concerns over “social consequences.”

Despite campaign promises to end restrictive internet policies, Pezeshkian’s administration has done little to address the issue. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei remains resolute in framing censorship as a matter of national security, emphasizing the regime’s fear of the political implications of unfiltered information. Conservative MP Mehrdad Lahouti revealed another layer of hypocrisy, stating, “All state officials and parliament members use VPNs for free, but ordinary citizens are forced to pay for it.” This selective access highlights the state’s true priorities: maintaining control while ordinary Iranians bear the brunt of isolation from global networks.

The profitability of censorship is further evidenced by parliament members Javad Nikbin and Gholamreza Nouri Ghazalcheh, who disclosed that many figures involved in enforcing internet restrictions are also key players in Iran’s VPN market. Nikbin described it as a “well-organized market” run by those crafting filtering policies. These admissions illustrate that the VPN trade is not an illicit black market, but a semi-official enterprise directly tied to public hardship.

Public dissatisfaction is palpable. On October 24, extremist factions staged a pro-censorship rally to bolster support for restrictions, yet the low turnout highlighted widespread opposition. Pezeshkian’s continued silence and increased efforts to police VPN usage, rather than lift censorship, reveal a stark reality: for Iran’s leadership, censorship remains an indispensable tool to suppress dissent and maintain power, leaving citizens trapped in a costly struggle for connectivity.

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