Blocking internet access would undermine Iran’s AI ambitions, minister warns
Hashemi says domestic platforms received wartime support worth 2.7 trillion tomans, and warns that blocking access would undermine Iran’s ambitions in artificial intelligence.
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Iran’s ICT Ministry provided support worth about 2.7 trillion tomans to domestic messaging apps, other platforms and Shad during the 39-day war, Minister Sattar Hashemi said.
The support came from the ministry’s own resources, Hashemi said in remarks reported by its public relations office. The amount is equivalent to roughly $10.2 million at the October 20, 2026.
Hashemi said the ministry had substantial financial needs of its own, limited resources and rising project costs caused by exchange-rate fluctuations. Keeping widely used platforms and services running nevertheless remained a priority, he said.
Blocking would undermine AI ambitions, Hashemi says
At a joint meeting with the heads of parliamentary delegations, Hashemi also warned against blocking access.
“If we move toward blocking, we must forget about artificial intelligence,” he said.
He said Iran could have a voice globally if it strengthened the field with an approach that encouraged the fullest possible use. Otherwise, he warned, the country would fall far behind the rapidly advancing technology world.
Hashemi also blamed tools used to bypass internet filtering for a large share of cybersecurity problems originating inside the country. He called for a new approach to the issue.
