Full Breakdown
Iran Launches Temporary “Internet Pro” Scheme to Ease Business Access Amid Ongoing Internet Blackout
4/29/2026, 11:44:08 AM
Background & Context
Iran imposed a nationwide internet blackout on 8 January 2026 in response to anti-government protests. Connections gradually returned in February, but a second shutdown began on 28 February after U.S. and Israeli strikes. Even in normal periods, the state heavily censors the global web and runs an intranet for schools and other services.
Timeline of Restrictions and Scheme Introduction
- 8 Jan 2026: Initial blackout following protests.
- Feb 2026: Partial restoration of service.
- 28 Feb 2026: New blackout coinciding with U.S./Israeli attacks.
- Early Apr 2026: Le Monde reports doctors, teachers, lawyers and engineers can apply for limited internet access with intelligence approval.
- 28 Apr 2026: Supreme National Security Council approves the “Internet Pro” scheme for businesses.
Core Event: Launch of the “Internet Pro” Scheme
The Supreme National Security Council authorized a temporary program that grants selected businesses limited access to the global internet. The scheme is framed as a crisis-response measure intended to preserve commercial activity while the state maintains broader security-related restrictions.
Data & Statistics
Afshin Kolahi, head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce’s Knowledge-Based Economy Commission, estimates daily economic losses from the outages at $30-40 million in direct costs and up to $80 million when indirect effects are included. The disruptions affect freelancers, small enterprises, and the broader labour market.
Official Statements & Responses
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said the plan “preserves businesses during times of crisis,” emphasized that internet access is a civil right, and noted that restrictions will ease once authorities declare the situation normal. The telecommunications regulator reported that “some operators had violated the framework, with investigations under way.”
Criticism & Opposition
Economic analysts warn that selective connectivity deepens public frustration, as most citizens still rely on costly VPNs or Starlink terminals. The limited scope—businesses and a few professional groups—leaves freelancers and small firms without reliable access. Reported violations by operators suggest enforcement challenges and raise doubts about the scheme’s effectiveness.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources do not disclose the exact date the “Internet Pro” measures began, nor the number of firms granted access. Criteria for operator compliance remain vague, and there is no public accounting of how many violations have been identified.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The Supreme National Security Council approved the ‘Internet Pro’ scheme to preserve businesses during times of crisis,” — Fatemeh Mohajerani, Government Spokesperson
- “Once the situation is announced to be normal by relevant authorities, the situation of the internet will also change,” — Fatemeh Mohajerani, Government Spokesperson
- “The “Internet Pro” plan is meant to solely benefit businesses as a temporary response to crisis conditions, but state media quoted the country’s telecommunications regulator as saying on Monday that some operators had violated the framework, with investigations under way.” — Telecommunications Regulator (state-media quote)
- “Internet outages in Iran are inflicting heavy economic damage, with daily losses estimated at $30 million to $40 million in direct costs and up to $80 million including indirect effects, according to Afshin Kolahi, head of the Iran Chamber of Commerce’s knowledge-based economy commission, as cited by local media.” — Afshin Kolahi, Head, Iran Chamber of Commerce’s Knowledge-Based Economy Commission (cited by local media)
- “Le Monde reported that since early April, some professional groups have been able to apply for internet access, conditioned on intelligence services’ approval.” — Le Monde (report)
What’s Next
State investigators will continue probing operator breaches, while the Supreme National Security Council monitors the scheme’s impact. Authorities have indicated that full restoration of unrestricted internet will follow a formal declaration of “normal” conditions, linking future connectivity to the evolving security situation.
