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Rasayi, Tehran Representative: Some Private Banks Are Involved in Selling VPNs

Jan 23, 2026 January 23, 2026 1 min read 📰 Iran International (Farsi)
📋 Key Takeaway

Hamid Rasayi, a Tehran MP, has accused some private banks of being involved in the sale of VPNs, highlighting a significant financial turnover in this market. He criticized the Ministry of Communications for its lack of awareness regarding this issue and condemned the government's filtering policies.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The involvement of private banks in the VPN market underscores the challenges of internet censorship in Iran and the government's struggle to manage digital freedoms.

👥 Key Players

Hamid Rasayi MENTIONED
Tehran Parliament Representative
"As a member of the Iranian Parliament, Rasayi has influence over legislative matters and public discourse, particularly regarding internet policies and financial regulations."
Ministry of Communications MENTIONED
Government Body
"Responsible for regulating telecommunications and internet services in Iran, their policies directly affect internet access and censorship."
Private Banks MENTIONED
Financial Institutions
"Involved in the financial transactions related to VPN sales, their actions reflect broader economic practices and regulatory compliance in Iran."

📰 What Happened

Hamid Rasayi has accused some private banks in Iran of selling VPNs, claiming that the financial turnover from these sales is substantial. He criticized the Ministry of Communications for not being aware of this situation and condemned the government's strict internet filtering policies.

  • The financial turnover from VPN sales is estimated to be between 20 to 50 trillion tomans.
  • Rasayi's comments highlight a disconnect between government agencies regarding internet regulation.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: This issue highlights the complexities of internet regulation in Iran, where VPNs are often used to bypass government censorship, raising questions about the government's control over digital spaces.
🌍 Regional: The situation reflects broader regional trends of internet censorship and the use of technology to circumvent state control, which could inspire similar actions in neighboring countries.
🌐 International: Internationally, this raises concerns about human rights and freedom of expression in Iran, potentially affecting diplomatic relations and discussions on sanctions.

📚 Background

Iran has a history of strict internet censorship, with the government employing filtering techniques to control access to information. VPNs are commonly used by citizens to bypass these restrictions.

Internet censorship in Iran Use of VPNs in authoritarian regimes
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The statements come from a parliamentary representative, suggesting a focus on political accountability rather than sensationalism.

Hamid Rasayi, a representative from Tehran in the Parliament, said: "Some private banks are involved in selling VPNs." He added: "It is strange that the Ministry of Communications has claimed ignorance about the VPN sellers, while the financial turnover of VPN sellers is between 20 to 50 trillion tomans." He continued: "The policy of blanket filtering is definitely wrong, just as the laxity in cyberspace is wrong."

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

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