After Ali Khamenei called for greater restrictions on cyberspace during his first meeting with the fourteenth government delegation, describing the virtual space in Iran as 'uncontrolled', Masoud Behdarvand on Wednesday, September 7, urged the implementation of Khamenei's directive and 'proper management of cyberspace'. The head of the fourteenth government instructed his ministers to seriously consider the Supreme Leader's remarks regarding 'proper management of cyberspace' and the 'uncontrolled' nature of this space in Iran. On September 6, during a meeting with Behdarvand's cabinet, Khamenei stated that the cyberspace in Iran is 'free and uncontrolled', adding, 'Cyberspace is no longer virtual; it is a reality in people's lives that is advancing day by day. What is important is that there should be lawful governance in cyberspace.' Following these remarks and Behdarvand's directive to his ministers to pursue Khamenei's requests, Aghamiri, the Secretary of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, emphasized the 'necessity of managing relationships in cyberspace' during a television program, stating, 'Currently, cyberspace in Iran is free and uncontrolled, and governance in it is weak, but this governance will gradually be strengthened with the establishment of regulations.' The head of the fourteenth government, who is now calling for 'proper management of cyberspace', had criticized internet filtering during the presidential election debates, particularly due to its impact on Iran's economy. While Iranian officials are again moving to further restrict cyberspace, the Islamic Republic is one of the world's governments that imposes the most restrictions on citizens' internet use and has forced citizens to purchase and use VPNs due to extensive filtering. Reuters reported that the Islamic Republic regularly charges internet users based on the posts they share in cyberspace. According to the digital rights group 'Access Now', Iran ranked third in the world for internet outages last year.
Islamic Republic's Push for Greater Restrictions on Cyberspace; Behdarvand Urges Ministers to Implement Khamenei's 'Order'
Ali Khamenei has called for increased restrictions on cyberspace in Iran, prompting government officials to implement his directives for better management. This push for control comes despite previous criticisms of internet filtering's economic impact. The situation highlights ongoing tensions between state control and citizens' access to information.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
Ali Khamenei has called for increased restrictions on Iran's cyberspace, prompting government officials to implement his directives for better management. This move aims to strengthen governance over the internet in Iran.
- Khamenei described Iran's cyberspace as 'uncontrolled' and called for lawful governance.
- Iran is known for imposing significant restrictions on internet use, often requiring citizens to use VPNs.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
Iran has a history of internet censorship and control, often justified by the government as necessary for national security and cultural preservation.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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Translation confidence: 85%