In the lead-up to his election, Masoud Pezeshkian vowed to fight internet censorship in Iran, promising to “free the internet” and end the widespread filtering that restricts access to global platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Twitter. He positioned himself as a reformist, claiming that he would resist the regime’s oppressive digital policies. “I will stand against filtering,” he stated during his campaign, appealing to an electorate tired of digital repression. Yet, months into his presidency, these promises have proven to be hollow.
Despite Pezeshkian’s assurances, his administration has taken no concrete steps to lift restrictions on the internet. Instead, his government, much like its predecessors, continues to uphold and even reinforce the regime’s control over cyberspace. His newly appointed Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Sattar Hashemi, has not addressed the removal of internet filters and is instead focusing on minor reforms that will likely perpetuate the status quo.
Furthermore, Pezeshkian’s efforts are dented by the power of Iran’s security institutions, including the Supreme Council of Cyberspace (SCC), which remains committed to maintaining a tight grip on information flow. The “Internet User Protection Bill,” which would formalize and expand these controls, has already been partially implemented without full parliamentary approval. While it has not officially become law, many of its core principles are already in place, restricting access to VPNs and blocking most global platforms.
The censorship is more than just a political tool—it has caused substantial economic harm. Iran’s economy, particularly its digital commerce sector, has suffered severe losses due to the internet shutdowns and restrictions. The Iran Chamber of Commerce reported daily losses of $1.5 million during the 2022 protests, a trend that has only worsened under Pezeshkian’s leadership. Small businesses, many of which are run by women in rural areas, rely on social media to operate, and the continued blocking of platforms like Instagram has devastated them.
The Iranian regime imposes strict internet censorship to maintain control over the flow of information and suppress dissent. According to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Iranian government has effectively “enslaved” its internet, employing widespread censorship, surveillance, and arbitrary shutdowns. This “cruel strategy” aims to isolate its population from the global information sphere, preventing access to uncensored news and platforms that could facilitate protests and opposition movements.
Similarly, Freedom House ranks Iran as “Not Free,” noting that the regime uses internet restrictions to silence critics and prevent the spread of information that could expose government corruption and human rights abuses. The government fears that “unrestricted internet access” would enable the population to become aware of political realities and join opposition movements, thus threatening the regime’s hold on power.
Pezeshkian’s presidency so far has proven that his promises of internet freedom were nothing more than political theater. The regime’s control over the internet, fueled by fear of political awareness and unrest, remains stronger than ever. By continuing to enforce these oppressive policies, Pezeshkian has confirmed that his words were little more than lip service, aimed at placating a society hungry for change.
