The Minister of Information and Communication Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi has praised the Iranian president’s order to restore access to international Internet terming the decision an evidence to the country’s national trust and stability.
“I shall express my gratitude to
President Masoud Pezeshkian for his strategic vision and responsible decision
in forming the Special Headquarters for Organizing the Cyberspace, to First
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref’s for his continuous efforts in convening regular
meetings, and to the headquarters’ members for upholding national rights and
restoring the country's communication stability,” he said.
In an interview with the daily
Shargh published on Tuesday, the ICT Minister added: After the issuance of the presidential
order, the implementation of the headquarters’ resolution will be notified to
the ICT Ministry. Then our colleagues will immediately begin technical and
operational measures to restore the country's Internet to normal.
President Pezeshkian ordered lifting
the international Internet blackout on Monday after it was blocked for 88 days in
the wake of the Israel-US military aggression against Iran on 28 February.
The presidential order was issued
following adoption of the decision to resume the global Internet access on
Monday by the Special Headquarters for Organizing Cyberspace headed by First
Vice President Aref.
Aref was appointed by President
Pezeshkian earlier in May to chair the board in the wake of monthslong international
Internet blackout since the Israel-US war of aggression on Iran, disrupting
public use and paralyzing business activities.
“The experience of recent months
has shown that the Internet is not only a communication tool, but also part of
the country's vital infrastructure in the fields of economy, education, health,
transportation, public services, and cybersecurity,” said the ICT Minister.
“Any widespread disruption will
create chain and secondary consequences on people's lives and the
sustainability of services,” Hashemi added.
Lifting the Internet restrictions
was one of the election campaign promises of President Pezeshkian in 2024.