Iranian ministers call for equal internet access while curbs remain in place

22 April 2026 11:58

Two senior Iranian officials said on Wednesday, April 22, that unequal or discriminatory internet access should have no place in government policy, even as large parts of the country remain cut off from the global internet.

Their remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing, broad internet restrictions in Iran, where public access to international networks continues to be heavily limited.

Vice President Mohammadreza Aref emphasised that equal and non-discriminatory internet access must be guaranteed to all segments of society. He stated that the concept of a “class-based internet” contradicts the government’s stated commitment to a “justice-oriented approach.”

Aref warned that any form of restriction or discrimination in internet access would deepen inequalities, limiting citizens’ ability to benefit from digital opportunities. He stressed that such disparities should be avoided in policymaking.

Separately, Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi echoed similar concerns, stating that both “class-based internet” and whitelist-based access systems have no place in government policy.

Meanwhile, according to the monitoring group NetBlocks, the country is now in its 54th day of an internet blackout, which has lasted for more than 1,272 hours.