Iranian authorities cut SIM cards to silence activists and restrict digital services
Iranians report that the IRGC intelligence agency has disconnected their SIM cards, blocking access to banking, government and online platforms unless they pledge compliance.
In Iran, the IRGC's Intelligence Organization has been accused of disabling SIM cards as a tool to curb dissent, cutting off users from essential digital services such as banking, judicial portals and insurance. Individuals like Sina, a 25-year-old student, and Sorour, a 41-year-old translator, recount being summoned, interrogated for hours and compelled to sign pledges denouncing their activist activity before their phones were returned.
Mina, a 63-year-old from Isfahan, says her SIM and national ID were blocked after she refused a summons, leaving her unable to complete bank transfers or check legal filings. Other complainants, including former political prisoner Zia Nabavi and physician Reyhaneh Saeedi, report similar restrictions that impede daily life and professional duties. The Defending Free Flow of Information organization notes that such SIM bans have been used for years without judicial oversight, leaving victims without recourse.
Why it matters
The tactic shows how Iran leverages digital infrastructure to pressure critics, affecting everyday access to essential services.
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