Iran’s internet disruption enters its 54th day. This ongoing outage creates a serious digital job threat for nearly 10 million people. The country’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Sattar Hashemi, warned about this growing crisis. He stated that continued disconnection directly endangers livelihoods across Iran.
Hashemi explained that most affected workers come from middle and lower income groups. These citizens rely on stable digital connections for their daily work. Many run online businesses or work for digital platforms. Consequently, a prolonged shutdown forces them into economic hardship. For example, delivery drivers cannot receive orders without maps. Similarly, online teachers lose their classrooms entirely.
The minister emphasized one core warning. He called the ongoing instability a direct digital job threat. It does not just inconvenience users. Instead, it destroys actual employment. He noted that these 10 million people cannot simply switch to offline jobs. Their skills and tools depend entirely on the internet. Therefore, the digital job threat becomes a national economic emergency.
Recent reports confirm rising economic damage. A week ago, the head of the knowledge-based commission at Iran’s Chamber of Commerce provided new figures. Direct losses from the internet cut reach $30-40 million per day. Furthermore, total losses including indirect damage hit $70-80 million daily. These numbers keep climbing as the outage continues. Meanwhile, small businesses bear the heaviest burden.
Government authorities initially restricted access after regional military actions involving the United States and Israel. Authorities allowed only a few users to connect. A government spokesperson earlier said connectivity would serve those who convey the voice of the people. Nevertheless, most citizens remain offline. As a result, daily economic activity suffers tremendously.
Businesses now face severe pressure. Many companies have announced workforce reductions in recent weeks. Various sectors including e-commerce, ride-hailing, and remote services report layoffs. Each layoff adds to the digital job threat. Small entrepreneurs suffer the most. They lack alternative distribution channels. Thus, the digital job threat transforms from a warning into a daily reality for millions.
Social implications also grow more serious. Without internet, people cannot access banking, education, or health services. Students fall behind in their studies. Freelancers lose foreign clients. Shop owners using online payment systems see sales collapse. This creates ripple effects across the entire economy. For instance, even farmers cannot check market prices before selling goods.
Experts predict the situation will worsen if the blackout continues. No official end date has been announced. The minister’s warning serves as a rare public alert from within the government. He clearly links digital access to national employment stability. His statement suggests officials understand the high stakes. Still, no concrete action has reversed the shutdown.
Looking ahead, pressure may build on authorities to restore service. However, no clear next steps have emerged. For now, millions of Iranian workers face an uncertain future. Each day without the internet deepens the digital job threat. The longer the shutdown lasts, the harder recovery becomes. In conclusion, this crisis demands immediate attention before more jobs disappear