The Minister of Information and Communications Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has expressed concern over backlash of Internet access disruptions on the economic and scientific activities as a result of the Israeli-US imposed war on Iran.
“It is one of the most expensive challenges to the country’s
infrastructure causing multi-layered and hidden crises in the digital economy
and the livelihood of millions of Iranians,” he warned.
Hashemi made the remarks in a meeting with the Minister of Science,
Research and Technology Hossein Simaei during which they exchanged views on
negative consequences of the Internet interruptions due to the wartime security
conditions.
“Stable and quality access to the Internet is not a privilege
rather a basic right for the public,” stressed the ICT minister.
“All aspects of life are dependent on ICT. The disruption in Internet
connection is not only a technical problem, but a systematic problem in the
functioning of various sectors of society.”
Referring to the financial conditions of the country's
communication operators, he added: The Internet crisis has reached the limits
of the economic sustainability of the ICT industry.
According to the ICT minister, about 10 million people,
mainly from the middle and lower classes of society, are directly involved in
activities that require stable digital communications.
"The continued Internet disruption means a direct threat
to the employment of this vast population entailing profound social and
economic consequences."
The minister of higher education also referred to the
disruptions in the scientific communications and international research
exchanges.
“Internet restrictions have practically disrupted the flow of
knowledge production and exchange,” he said.
Simaei termed as “unjustifiable” the restriction of Internet
access for the faculty members and university students, saying “The limited access
for academics has failed to meet their real needs.”
He said foreign students are an asset presenting a true narrative
of the Iranian developments to the world and added: This capacity is
practically neutralized without a stable Internet.