Iranian communications official says internet blackouts are over
An Iranian communications official announced that Tehran will no longer shut down the internet, citing the countryS increased maturity adn ability to manage crises without cutting connectivity. historically, Iran has used internet blackouts to suppress dissent during domestic unrest, notably during protests and Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion, which caused the largest modern internet blackout. Deputy Mohammad Hatamizadeh highlighted Iran’s growth of a “smart government” platform to improve openness and interaction with citizens, emphasizing a shift away from extreme control measures. Despite this declaration, the regime’s past reliance on blackouts has caused significant economic losses-estimated at around $3.3 billion during a recent 90-day shutdown-and questions remain whether such measures are truly a thing of the past, given ongoing concerns about regime control and capabilities.
An Iranian communications official announced an end to Tehran’s much-criticized practice of shutting down the internet, saying the country had matured past the practice.
Tehran has relied on internet shutdowns to suppress dissent during times of domestic turbulence, usually instituting blackouts during major national protests. It most recently shut down the internet after the beginning of Operation Epic Fury/Roaring Lion, triggering what became the largest internet blackout in modern history. It was partially lifted beginning last month.
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In a Wednesday speech in Kermanshah province, Mohammad Hatamizadeh, deputy for legal affairs, government, parliament, and provinces at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology in Iran, proclaimed that the era of internet blackouts was over, crediting the increased maturity of the Iranian nation.
“The country has reached a level of maturity where even in severe crises and turmoil, it can be managed without cutting off the internet, and we will no longer witness internet shutdowns,” he said, according to a report.
Much of his speech centered on Iran’s “smart government” system, a website portal aimed at creating an easily accessible outlet for government services.
“Returning to the people and gaining their satisfaction must be the main priority of executive bodies, and technology can be an effective tool for transparency, justice, and more direct communication between the people and the government,” he said, striking a much different tone than officials warning about foreign subversion during the war.
The widely unpopular regime has relied on internet blackouts to control the information space and prevent dissidents from effectively organizing, a danger laid bare in its worst round of protests in January, triggering a crackdown that killed tens of thousands of protesters. The crackdown coincided with one of the most advanced blackouts, during which Tehran used jammers to block most Starlink signals.
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Tehran has invested heavily in its ability to crack down on the internet, using Chinese expertise and technology. While the blackout was vital in suppressing dissent and maintaining control over the information space, it also proved devastating to the economy. Janatan Sayeh, a research analyst with the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, wrote that the shutdown cost the economy roughly $37.35 million in direct losses per day, bringing the total cost of the nearly 90-day blackout to around $3.3 billion.
Despite the economic losses, investments in the ability to shut down the internet and the increasing paranoia of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-led regime are certain to lead to doubts that Hatamizadeh’s pledge will hold, come the next crisis.
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