Iranian lawmakers criticise president’s new cyberspace task force

A member of Iran’s parliamentary presiding board has criticised President Masoud Pezeshkian over the establishment of a new special cyberspace task force, arguing that it violates the country’s seventh development plan and conflicts with Iran’s existing governance structure for digital policy.

Alireza Salimi said Iran already has established institutions overseeing digital policy, including the Supreme Council of Cyberspace and the National Cyberspace Center, Iran International reports. 

“How is it possible for the president, who is himself the head of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, to transfer the council’s authority to a body outside the council?” Salimi said.

His comments come after earlier criticism from another lawmaker, Mostafa Pourdehghan, who described the new body as “decorative” and argued that such measures are largely symbolic and unlikely to produce meaningful change.

President Pezeshkian recently announced the formation of the task force and appointed First Vice President Mohammadreza Aref to lead it. He said the initiative aims to promote “integrated governance” of cyberspace, eliminate “multiple voices,” and reduce overlapping responsibilities among state institutions.

The dispute comes amid ongoing restrictions on internet access in Iran, where connectivity has been severely limited for more than 70 days following the escalation of tensions linked to the US–Iran–Israel conflict.

By Sabina Mammadli