At a time when public access to the internet in Iran is facing widespread restrictions, the issue of “Pro Internet” has become a major topic of debate. This type of special access, designed for certain groups and institutions, has sparked various reactions. In this context, the Nursing Organization (a professional body representing nurses in Iran) has taken a different stance and rejected the use of this privilege.
According to a report published on April 26, the Nursing Organization, which has around 300,000 members, has officially opposed Pro Internet. Ahmad Nejatian, the head of the organization, stated that nurses do not consider themselves separate from the public and do not seek special privileges.
Pro Internet and the protests against it
Pro Internet has been introduced as a new model of access to the global network. Rather than focusing primarily on speed, it emphasizes connection stability and less restricted access to certain international services. Access to Pro Internet is mainly designed for groups such as businesses, technology companies, and certain professional institutions.
⚖️ #Iran's internet blackout has now entered its 59th day after 1392 hours of near-total disconnection from the outside world.
The prolonged shutdown continues to cast a veil of digital darkness over human rights violations on the ground. pic.twitter.com/HN6m3FxPfV
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) April 27, 2026
Obtaining this service requires verification of professional identity and going through administrative procedures. Users must also pay an additional fee to use it. While this option is available to some, the general public continues to face extensive internet restrictions. This disparity in access has become one of the main points of protest against Pro Internet.
In its official statement, the Nursing Organization announced that despite having access to Pro Internet, it will not use the service until general public access is restored. Ahmad Nejatian stated that the internet is an essential tool for the daily lives of all people and should be equally available to everyone.
He emphasized that the decision was made after review by the organization’s board of directors. According to him, as long as other segments of society do not have access to free internet, nurses will not make special requests either. This position has been taken while internet restrictions have caused significant economic damage. Estimates indicate that internet shutdowns or disruptions have inflicted daily losses of between 30 trillion and 50 trillion rials on the economy. Additionally, part of the workforce in digital companies has faced the risk of unemployment.
The Nursing Organization’s rejection of tiered internet has been presented as an example of protest against unequal access to the internet. This decision comes as communication restrictions continue, and the debate over fairness in internet access has become one of the main issues in society.
