The Iranian regime’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Isa Zarepour, has staunchly defended the Raisi government’s policy of restricting access to popular foreign internet platforms. In a recent interview with the state-run Shargh newspaper, Zarepour described the policy as “logical” and consistent with practices in other countries that claim to support free speech.
The state official repeatedly dodged responsibility for the reasons behind internet restrictions, claiming that neither he nor his ministry has any authority in these matters. He cited other “bodies” as responsible for making decisions regarding this issue.
Responding to why social media networks are banned by the regime, Zarepour specifically cited the role of Instagram in the 2022 uprising, asserting that the platform played a significant part in what the clerical regime terms “riots.” He said, “Instagram cannot operate as long as it does not adhere to the country’s laws.”
In an exclusive report in this regard in January 2022, the Iranian Resistance wrote: “For roughly over one million Iranians, social media platforms such as Instagram, Telegram, and Twitter serve as virtual businesses. https://t.co/A94LvSAq7t
— NCRI-FAC (@iran_policy) July 16, 2022
Despite widespread public dissatisfaction with internet disruptions and allegations of intentional network interference, Zarepour denied any deliberate obstruction. He attributed the negative user experience to blocked websites and dismissed technical reports of intentional disruptions as psychological warfare. Zarepour also mentioned that the domestic network is currently not equipped to handle unfiltered access to blocked services.
The issue of internet censorship in Iran is further complicated by the so-called “Protection of Users in Cyberspace” bill, which was recently reintroduced in the regime’s parliament. This bill aims to intensify internet restrictions under the guise of protecting users’ rights.
Iran’s ranking in the 2023 Internet Freedom Index is notably low, placing it at 68th out of 70 countries. The Tehran E-Commerce Association reported that the Ministry of Communications under Ebrahim Raisi has installed unprecedented internet censorship equipment within the domestic network. This move enables authorities to censor access to domestic websites similarly to international ones.