Iran heavily censors and blocks major international apps, including X (Twitter), Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and Telegram, forcing many users to rely on VPNs, though the government also targets VPNs and attempts to promote domestic alternatives like Soroush. Recently, some access has been restored (like WhatsApp in late 2024), but restrictions remain for many platforms, including payment services (PayPal, Stripe), streaming (Spotify, Netflix), and some developer tools (AWS, Google Cloud, Atlassian), due to both government filtering and sanctions.
Spotify is currently unavailable in Afghanistan, CAR, China, Cuba, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Turkmenistan, and Yemen. While Spotify is widely available in the rest of the world, some features, like the new Audiobooks feature, are unavailable in most countries.
The Iranian government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps persistently block social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram along with many popular websites such as Blogger, HBO, YouTube, and Netflix.
However, on October 13, 2019, TikTok unilaterally blocked access for Iranian users, and the platform was subsequently blocked by the Committee for Determining Instances of Criminal Content. Following October 2019, Iranian users resorted to modified versions of the app to access TikTok.
Internet access in Iran is largely limited to a domestic intranet, with restricted links to the outside world. But during the current protests, authorities have for the first time severely restricted that too.
In 2022, WhatsApp and Google Play were banned by the Iranian government during nationwide protests after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in police custody. Iran restored access to WhatsApp and Google Play in December 2024.
Yes, $100 is a significant amount of money in Iran, especially for daily expenses, as it converts to millions of Iranian Rials (IRR), allowing for substantial purchases like multiple restaurant meals, accommodation, or local tours, though it's a small sum compared to average annual salaries. Due to rapid currency devaluation and sanctions, foreigners need to carry large amounts of cash (often in large USD/EUR bills) because credit cards don't work, and you get a huge stack of banknotes for $100.
Below is an estimated list of well-known websites blocked by Iran:
Because Iranian leaders see Christianity as a threat to Islam, the printing, sale, and distribution of Bibles is illegal. Iranian Christians can't go online a purchase a Bible. They can't walk to the nearest bookstore to browse the Bible selection. They're not even allowed to own God's Word.
While tattoos are not banned in Iran, conservatives still view the practice as immoral and Westernized, with women yet again bearing the brunt of the stigma. One of the ways women have managed to circumnavigate this climate is by getting tattoos from tattoo artists who are also women.
The current supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, in 2014 has stated his admiration of Western music, and nowadays music is officially permitted in Iran by the government as long as it is Iranian -- Iranian folk music, classical music, and pop music is allowed.
As of 2020, there were 203.67 million people paying for a Netflix subscription. Of those people, over 73 million are located in the United States. Unavailable (China,, Crimea, Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Syria.)
Due to these strict rules that reinforce gender roles, more and more Iranian filmmakers are going the independent route, which doesn't come without risk: Iranian filmmakers who shoot films without proper permits from Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance face threats of imprisonment, as well as having their ...
A government deputy minister announced the ban, on Sunday on state television. "Google and Gmail will be filtered nationwide, and will remain filtered until further notice," said an adviser to Iran's public prosecutor's office Abdul Samad Khoramabadi.
Since the Iranian revolution, Iranian female solo vocalists are permitted to perform for female audiences. Female vocalists can perform for male audiences only as a part of a chorus.
Most Popular Mobile Apps: Iran
The law considers these activities to be proselytizing and punishable by death. In addition, citizens who are not recognized as Christians, Zoroastrians, or Jews may not engage in public religious expression, such as worshiping in a church or wearing religious symbols such as a cross.
Iran is an Islamic state known for its hostility to Israel. The country is also home to a longstanding Jewish community, with at least a dozen active synagogues in the capital city of Tehran, mikvahs, kosher butchers, a Jewish library, and even a Jewish newspaper.
The appeal of Christianity
At the heart of many conversions is a deep desire for a personal relationship with God. Christianity teaches that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, offers salvation and eternal life to all who believe in him. For many Muslims, the message of grace, forgiveness, and love is incredibly compelling.
Using cameras and electronic devices. Photography near military and other government installations is strictly prohibited. You can be detained and charged with breaking national security laws. Sensitive government buildings and facilities are often difficult to identify.
However, since most North Korean residents have no access to the Internet, China, Russia, and Iran are the only countries where access to Facebook is actively restricted in a wholesale manner, although it is possible to access the site through onion services.
Basic Etiquette
It is rude to put your feet on the table. Burping and sniffing in front of others is considered rude. One should not touch people of the opposite gender unless they are very close family or friends.
It consists of hydrocarbon, agricultural and service sectors, in addition to manufacturing and financial services, with over 40 industries traded on the Tehran Stock Exchange. With 10% of the world's proven oil reserves and 15% of its gas reserves, Iran is considered an "energy superpower".
Tap water is safe to drink in most of the country (and especially the cities), although you may find the chalkiness and taste a bit off-putting in some areas (mainly Qom, Yazd, Hormozgan, and Boushehr provinces). Bottled mineral water (āb Madani) is widely available.