Iranian government says security bodies control internet shutdown

Iran’s government said decisions on cutting internet access lie with security authorities, as a nationwide blackout has entered its third week.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani told a news conference that after events on Jan. 8 and 9, security policymakers decided the national internet network “had to be cut,” adding that the government could not override such decisions.

“Our approach is to support free internet,” she said. “But on security issues, we are all subject to these decisions.”

The internet blackout has continued into its 19th day. Internet monitor NetBlocks said on Monday that authorities were tightening filtering gaps to limit circumvention while allowing approved accounts to promote the Islamic Republic’s narrative.