[77421] Internal Criticism in Iran: Former Official Warns of Mental Harm from Internet Blocking

Criticism of Iran's Internet Filtering Policy

In a series of reports published on May 31, 2026, sharp criticism has emerged from political figures in Iran regarding the policy of restricting access to the web. Mohammad Ali Abtahi, a member of the Combatant Clerics Association (Majma'e Rowhaniyoun-e Mobarez), argued that "the lack of internet causes deep wounds in the soul of society," and that the current situation could develop into a wider social crisis.

According to reports in اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا حمله, خبرفوری ࡆ اخبارفوری مذاکره ࡆ جنگ فوری, and اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا فوری — Telegram channels identified with rolling news streams in Iran that sometimes take a critical line regarding domestic policy — Abtahi compared access to the web to a basic right: "The internet, like water and air, is a civic right of the people."

The senior official called on the authorities to consider the "next phase" and lead to a significant reduction in the scope of censorship and filtering. His words reflect growing frustration among parts of the more moderate political elite in Iran, who fear that the current policy of restricting information is having a negative impact on social stability and public functioning in the digital age.

The issue was also raised in the broader context of technological infrastructure, as noted in a report by فناوری فوری, which emphasizes the technical importance of connectivity to the economy and citizen welfare.