Yousef Pezeshkian, the son of Iran’s president who took office in 2024, has urged authorities to lift the internet blackout that has followed the protests and violent crackdown. He argues that keeping digital restrictions in place won’t solve the underlying issues and will only widen the gap between the people and the government. He wrote in a Telegram post that the moment footage of the crackdown will circulate regardless, and delaying access to the internet is not a solution.
The debate over whether to reinstate full internet access has intensified as authorities intermittently ease blocks, allowing a slow and painful flow of information about the protests. Rights groups have documented thousands of deaths in the crackdown, with some estimates suggesting the final toll could be as high as 25,000. Thousands more have been detained, and families continue to search for information about their loved ones.
Reports accompanying the internet restrictions describe the aftermath in hospitals and on the streets. Staff at the Farabi eye hospital in Tehran said they had treated more than 1,000 patients needing emergency eye surgery since the protests began, highlighting the scale of injuries amid the crackdown. The online blackout has also made it difficult for relatives to verify the fate of those involved and for independent observers to document the events.
At the top of the regime, a political clash over the risks of keeping the internet blocked continues. Sporadic lifting of restrictions has stirred inquest-style questions about the true costs of information suppression and the erosion of public trust. Pezeshkian’s call adds to a growing chorus that suggests restoring access to the internet may be a necessary step toward transparency and reconciliation, even as officials weigh potential political costs.
As the country wrestles with how to balance security, information flow, and public sentiment, the question remains: will lifting the internet blackout help bridge the divide, or will it ignite new pressures on a government already navigating a volatile moment?
