Tehran, Iran – In an official acknowledgment reflecting the scale of the worsening economic crisis, Iranian Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Sattar Hashemi, warned that the continued instability of the internet poses a direct threat to the livelihoods of approximately 10 million people in the country. The minister explained that this segment of the population, mostly from the middle and lower classes, relies entirely on continuous and stable access to the internet for their daily economic activities.
Warnings of profound social consequences
Hashemi stressed that the continuation of this situation could lead to “profound social and economic consequences,” referring to the risks of widespread unemployment and poverty among the most vulnerable groups who have found in the digital economy and freelance work a means to secure their livelihoods. The minister’s remarks come at a time when the country is suffering from immense economic pressures as a result of sanctions and regional tensions.
53 days of digital isolation
For its part, Netblocks, a network security monitoring group, revealed that the internet blackout in Iran had entered its 53rd day by Tuesday.
The organization stated in its report that users in Iran had been denied access to the global network for more than 1,248 consecutive hours. This is one of the longest recorded blackouts.
Humanitarian repercussions despite “gradual access”
The international organization’s report indicated that Iranian authorities are currently developing a “tiered access” system that grants access to specific companies and users while denying it to others.
However, NetBlocks emphasized that these selective measures do not resolve the crisis. Instead, they exacerbate the human and economic consequences of the restrictions and deepen the digital divide.
This widespread restriction continues amid international human rights criticism. Internet access is considered a fundamental right in the modern era, linked to freedom of expression and economic empowerment. This makes the digital isolation of millions a double violation, impacting both their political and economic rights.
