Deutsche Welle (DW) has reported that several Iranians have experienced disruptions to their SIM cards, bank access, and online accounts, which they claim were blocked until they removed critical content or agreed to cease their activism. In Iran, cell phone numbers serve as essential tools for digital identity verification and accessing various services, including banking and administrative functions. Consequently, disconnecting a SIM card can hinder access to numerous digital services.
Some individuals reported that their SIM card restrictions coincided with the blocking of user accounts and access to banking and government services, with access restored only after they deleted critical content or pledged to stop participating in protests. DW interviewed three individuals in Iran, who used pseudonyms for safety reasons.
One individual, identified as Sina, noted that he discovered his SIM card had been disconnected while attempting to book a taxi after university. Following a visit to a telecommunications center, he received a call from someone claiming to represent the Intelligence Organization of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IO-IRGC), instructing him to visit a specific location to reconnect his SIM card. Sina reported being interrogated for approximately six hours, during which his mobile phone was confiscated. He stated that the return of his SIM card and phone was contingent upon signing a pledge expressing remorse for his activist activities and online propaganda against the government. He was also required to publish posts supporting the Islamic Republic to demonstrate his loyalty.
Sina's family later found that posts on his Instagram account had been deleted, leaving only one post stating that "the activities of the page are in accordance with the laws of the Islamic Republic of Iran." A month later, he had not regained access to his SIM card or social media accounts.
Another individual, Sorour, a 41-year-old translator in Tehran, reported similar experiences after her SIM card was disconnected. She was interrogated for hours regarding her activities on social media platforms and was instructed to make her account private and refrain from criticizing the authorities.
Mina, a 63-year-old resident of Isfahan, stated that her SIM card and national identification card were blocked after she refused to comply with a summons from the IO-IRGC. This restriction disrupted her access to bank transfers and administrative systems, preventing her from verifying any legal cases against her.
Other citizens have also shared similar complaints on social media. Zia Nabavi, a former political prisoner, noted that his SIM card was disconnected unexpectedly while he was at a doctor's office. He expressed concern about the government's strategy to pressure critics into compliance.
Reyhaneh Saeedi, a physician and activist, reported that her SIM card had been blocked for months, hindering her ability to practice medicine and manage her medical licenses. She stated that she had not been informed of any charges or legal proceedings against her.
Actress Shaghayegh Dehghan also reported that her SIM card had been blocked without knowledge of the responsible authority. The disconnection of SIM cards and other digital restrictions have become part of a broader strategy employed by the Islamic Republic to exert pressure on opponents, critics, and activists.
The Defending Free Flow of Information (DeFFI) organization reported in 2025 that journalists and activists faced SIM card blockages without judicial orders, raising concerns about the powers of security institutions to restrict citizens' access to communication tools and essential services. The situation has highlighted the lack of accountability mechanisms for those affected, leaving them with limited options to challenge the restrictions or seek explanations.