The son of Iran’s president has urged authorities to restore nationwide internet access, warning that the prolonged shutdown could deepen public frustration and further strain relations between citizens and the government.
Yousef Pezeshkian, a media adviser to the presidency and son of President Masoud Pezeshkian, said maintaining the blackout for more than two weeks risks pushing even previously neutral citizens into discontent. In a message shared on Telegram and later reported by Zoyols Blog, he cautioned that keeping people offline would only widen the gap between the state and the public.
According to him, the fear that restoring connectivity could reignite protests is overstated. He argued that the damage caused by continued isolation outweighs any short-term security concerns, noting that dissatisfaction grows faster when people feel silenced.
Iran’s population of over 90 million has faced severe internet restrictions since January 8, when authorities cut access amid widespread protests. During this period, security forces launched a heavy crackdown, with human rights organisations reporting thousands of deaths. While independent groups estimate the toll could be far higher, the government has released a significantly lower figure, distinguishing between security personnel, bystanders, and those it labels as rioters.
Pezeshkian acknowledged that officials are concerned about the spread of images and videos from recent protests but questioned the reasoning behind the blackout. Citing a Persian proverb, he suggested that transparency should not be feared when there is nothing to hide.
While he blamed foreign influence for escalating tensions, he also admitted that mistakes may have been made by security agencies and said such issues must be addressed. He added that suppressing information would not make it disappear, stressing that the release of footage is inevitable and that shutting down the internet merely delays the conversation rather than resolving it.
