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Iran's second-largest mobile phone operator removed its chief executive for refusing to fully comply with a government-ordered internet blackout that has left the country largely offline for more than a week, state media reported Sunday.
Alireza Rafiei was dismissed from his position as CEO of Irancell after approximately one year in the role, according to the Fars news agency. The company "disobeyed the orders of the decision-making institutions in implementing the announced policies regarding the restriction of internet access in crisis situations," Fars reported.
The dismissal follows an unprecedented nationwide communications shutdown that began January 8 without prior warning, as calls for anti-government protests intensified amid an economic crisis. The blackout marked one of the most severe internet disruptions in Iran's history, cutting off virtually all access to online services for the country's population of more than 88 million people.
Iranian authorities cited "failure to comply with the announced rules in crisis situations" as the grounds for Rafiei's removal, according to Fars. The decision to dismiss the executive came from unspecified "relevant institutions" within the government.
Irancell, founded in 2005, claims approximately 70 million subscribers, making it a critical player in Iran's telecommunications infrastructure. The company operates as the country's second-largest mobile network provider.
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Signs of easing restrictions emerged Sunday morning, when journalists in Tehran were able to access some international websites. Access to Google was restored "via all mobile phone lines and internet service providers," state television reported, though most internet service providers remained blocked.
The reasons for the partial restoration of connectivity were not immediately clear. Iranian authorities have stated they plan to restore internet access "gradually," though no timeline has been provided for full restoration of services.
The blackout began as economic pressures fueled growing public discontent. Iran has previously implemented internet restrictions during periods of civil unrest, including widespread protests in 2019 and 2022, though the current shutdown represents an escalation in both scope and duration.
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