🔻Iran’s first vice president said that “they have destroyed our security elites and we have also been hit by this issue in recent wars.”

Mohammadreza Aref, in a meeting with members of the Society of Instructors of the Qom Seminary, a religious and political conservative institution, said: “Our scientific achievements are owed to the internet, and the clergy itself also uses the internet for scientific purposes.”

He said: “We are ready to hold a meeting with the members of the Society of Instructors and the minister of communications so that, regarding the advantages and disadvantages of methods of monitoring the internet, there can be an academic and expert discussion and you can see what kind of blow it brings to the security of the country.”

Iranian officials in different periods have cited security considerations for this move.

During the country’s two recent wars, it cut off internet access.

The country has also criminalized the use of satellite internet such as Starlink.

📸 Khamenei.ir