Ali Hakim Javadi, head of the Computer Industry Organization, has estimated that the internet outages have caused economic damage of between $18 million and $27 million.
Iranian businesses are reeling from an internet blackout, imposed while authorities used massive force to crush large-scale protests, which have crippled commerce in an already battered economy.
Tehran has blocked internet access since January 8, after anti-government protests spread across the country and led to the bloodiest crackdown since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and uncertainty persists over when it will reconnect to the global web.
While Iran’s domestic network has gradually allowed limited access to online platforms, such as government websites and school intranets, it has not restored wider connectivity to the global internet, which many businesses rely on to operate.
The restrictions have drawn sharp criticism from businessmen and some government officials, including Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi, who said 10 million people were employed in the digital economy.
PEOPLE WALK on a street, as protests erupt over the collapse of the currency’s value, in Tehran, Iran, January 5, 2026. (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS)
Yousef Pezeshkian, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s son and adviser, called for the immediate restoration of the internet, asserting that “maintaining the internet blockade will generate discontent and widen the gap between the people and the government.”
Pezeshkian additionally warned in a post on his Telegram channel that cutting connectivity posed a greater risk of instability than allowing access, adding that restrictions would only delay unrest rather than prevent it.
Frustration among business owners, industry experts
Although some calm has returned to the streets after weeks of protests, uncertainty over when the country’s digital isolation will end added to frustration among business owners.
“Economic actors are very angry. Solutions must quickly be put in place for traders to maintain their communication with the outside world,” Jalil Jalalifar, of the Iran-Russia Joint Chamber of Commerce, was quoted as saying by business outlet Tejaratnews.
Majidreza Hariri, head of the Iran-China Chamber of Commerce, criticized measures allowing some internet access for being “only enough to check a few emails” due to short time limits and tight supervision, business outlet Eghtesadonline reported.
According to a Sunday report from Farsi-language news network Iran International, Hariri said that registered merchants who do business with China have only 20 minutes of access to the internet daily.
Farsi-language network Manoto reported that Ali Hakim Javadi, head of the Computer Industry Organization, has estimated that the internet outages have caused economic damage of between $18 million to $27 million.
Some state media reported on Sunday that a high-level security body had instructed restoring full access to the global internet, but the reports were denied by authorities.
Some lawmakers defended the restrictions.
“The internet has been America’s tool for controlling the world,” lawmaker Abolfazl Zahravand was quoted as saying by state media.
Security and judicial bodies have blamed the internet for facilitating communication between what they say were “rioters” or “armed terrorists” and foreign powers during protests.
Tobias Holcman contributed to this report.
