The recent internet restrictions in Iran highlight the tensions and challenges faced by a population yearning for connectivity amidst escalating geopolitical conflicts. While the government’s selective approach to internet access aims at maintaining control during turbulent times, it inadvertently underscores the deep frustration and economic ramifications for the average citizen. The consequences of the digital blackout resonate powerfully, raising pressing questions about access and equity in an increasingly digital world.
Tehran, Iran – Iranian authorities have been incrementally broadening a list of individuals and entities authorized to access limited internet services, a move that serves to underscore the disconnect experienced by the vast majority of the nation’s 90 million inhabitants during ongoing hostilities with the United States and Israel. Following a near-total internet shutdown that took effect within hours of the first bombing raids in Tehran on February 28, internet connectivity plummeted to roughly 2 percent of pre-war levels, according to monitoring organizations.
Amid these drastic limitations, a restricted intranet has been established to sustain certain local applications and services. Nonetheless, the populace faces significant frustration and economic setbacks, with billions of dollars in revenue lost across various sectors due to over 1,200 hours of digital blackout. Interestingly, one aspect of the economy has flourished: the black market for internet connections.
Recently, tens of thousands of individuals and organizations, designated by the state based on their roles and professions, successfully registered for a service known as Internet Pro. Under this system, users receive limited and monitored internet access where most international messaging platforms and numerous websites are blocked, although some applications and Google services remain operational. State-affiliated telecommunications companies are marketing data packages of 50 gigabytes under this scheme and have the authority to assign limited IP addresses for global connectivity to select businesses and offices.
Applicants must present identification and professional references to secure access. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology initially prioritized business owners and traders, while professionals such as doctors and academics were recently nominated by the Ministry of Science for inclusion. Freelancers were directed to register through a specialized platform set up for the state-associated Iranian ICT Guild.
Despite the Iranian government’s historical proclamations against a tiered internet system—which effectively turns connectivity into a privilege rather than a universal right—this structure is now in place and expanding. In an ironic twist, state media have framed Internet Pro as a valuable tool for professionals needing stable connections, amid growing public resentment.
In preceding internet shutdowns—such as the brief blackout during the 12-day war with Israel last June—no such tiered system was enforced. The current unprecedented restrictions have prompted many eligible individuals to opt into Internet Pro services. However, a substantial segment remains unconvinced, rallying for the restoration of full internet access. On local technology forums, users have shared their experiences of job losses and disruptions, voicing concerns that their professional capabilities have severely diminished due to the lack of connectivity.
Cybersecurity analysts and tech experts have voiced strong opposition to the tiered service. Aliasghar Honarmand, editor of a privacy-focused online news platform, emphasized that universal access to the internet is a fundamental human right. The current situation, he argues, normalizes severe restrictions and undermines social infrastructure.
As the war persists, Iranians are striving to bypass state-imposed barriers. An emerging circumvention technique, SNI (server name indication) Spoofing, saw a surge in popularity, allowing some users to create secure connections to blocked services. However, authorities responded rapidly, cutting off methods that facilitated this workaround.
Experts have noted that the government is now implementing a centralized internet control mechanism through a national network address translation (NAT) strategy, which routes all internet traffic via a singular gateway, enhancing surveillance and limiting circumvention attempts. While this method promises greater monitoring capabilities, it is also hardware-intensive and may lead to connection degradation and vulnerabilities.
A university student in Tehran, utilizing Internet Pro on behalf of her professor mother, noted that essential platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and Instagram remain inaccessible. She criticized the system for marginalizing significant portions of society who lack the means to obtain access, particularly the elderly, thereby prolonging the internet’s exclusion from everyday interactions.
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