Iran appeared ready to reverse its Telegram ban after seven years, yet the messaging app remains inaccessible without a VPN. Multiple Iranian lawmakers say the delay has little to do with national security and far more to do with the financial interests behind the country’s enormous VPN market.
Mostafa Pourdehghan, Secretary of the parliament’s Industries and Mines Committee, says a “VPN mafia” is working to prevent the restrictions from being lifted. He argues that those benefiting from VPN sales use national security as a shield to protect an industry estimated at 50 trillion tomans, equal to roughly 450 million dollars.
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Talks with Telegram are underway
Reports over the past week indicate that Iranian officials have been in discussions with Telegram to find a workable compromise. Pourdehghan says ministry officials have quietly suggested that unblocking is close, although the process appears to be slowed by powerful internal opposition.
Parliament has now launched an investigation into how much influence is being exerted behind the scenes. Whether the findings will reach the public is not yet clear.
A ban rooted in years of political tension
Telegram was first restricted in 2017, then fully blocked in May 2018 after major strikes and protests erupted. Since then, users have relied on VPN tools to access the platform, which continues to hold a strong presence among Iranian citizens.
Although the government restored limited access to WhatsApp and Google Play in late 2024, most international platforms remain banned. Facebook, X, and YouTube have been blocked since 2009, and Instagram joined the list during the 2022 protests. WhatsApp has been restricted again as well.
VPN dependence continues to grow
With much of the modern internet out of reach, VPN tools have become essential for everyday communication. Surveys indicate that nearly 90 percent of Iranians now use a VPN to bypass filtering and outages.
Attempts to curb VPN use have intensified. A 2024 law criminalized VPN access without a permit, and Iranian authorities continue to pressure app stores into removing VPN services. Despite this, demand remains high. Proton VPN says Iran consistently ranks in its top ten regions for free usage, mostly because residents are locked out of global payment systems.
The local VPN industry adds another layer
While major VPN tools are run by international companies, a substantial domestic market has grown inside Iran. Local providers sell VPN subscriptions to millions of users, creating a revenue stream estimated at around 500 million dollars per year.
That financial weight now appears to be influencing policy decisions. According to Pourdehghan, groups profiting from this market are resisting any move that might reduce demand for their services. If Telegram is unblocked, everyday VPN usage could fall, cutting directly into their business.
A country caught between politics and connectivity
Iran’s censorship policies have shaped an internet environment where VPNs are not a workaround but a necessity. The Telegram ban has become a focal point in a wider debate about digital freedom, transparency, and economic incentives.
Whether the app returns depends on how much sway the VPN industry holds over lawmakers. If the current pressure continues, the unblocking may remain stalled, even as public demand grows.
