Using SIM Card and Banking Service Disconnections to Curb Critics in Iran

Security agencies in Iran have blocked citizens' access to SIM cards, bank accounts, and online services to curb protest activities, an investigative report by Deutsche Welle shows. The news network spoke with several Iranian citizens who confirmed that the unblocking of their digital services was conditional upon deleting critical content or giving a commitment to cease online activity.

🔹 New tool of pressure on protesters: According to this report, restricting access to digital communications has been used as a method to silence critics without the need for formal and direct detentions. Affected individuals explained that disconnecting mobile numbers effectively prevents access to messaging apps and banking service applications, disrupting their daily lives. Relevant authorities had conditioned the restoration of this access on signing an official pledge and deleting protest posts.

In recent years, in addition to implementing widespread internet filtering, numerous reports of targeted civil deprivations against activists have been published. Since a large portion of public, administrative, and banking services in Iran relies on mobile phone numbers and national ID numbers, cutting communication lines is considered an effective tool for economic and social pressure.

📌 Source: Deutsche Welle, October 2, 2026

📊 Coverage: Single-source: Deutsche Welle · Primary source of claim: Independent journalists' report · Independent verification: Yes 🤖 This news report was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence and reviewed by an editor prior to publication.