The Farda Briefing

Welcome back to the Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I’m delving into why Iranian authorities are cutting off mobile service to citizens who post critical content online, and what they’re demanding to restore access.

What You Need To Know

• Iran Requires Praise Online To Regain SIM Access: The Islamic republic is cutting off cell service for Iranians who criticize the state online. To get reconnected, some have been told to post messages supporting the political establishment, RFE/RL’s Radio Farda has learned.

• Controversial 'Fake News' Bill Withdrawn: The Iranian government has withdrawn a controversial “fake news” bill following a strong backlash over its threat to free speech. Critics dubbed it the “bill of suffocation,” warning that vague terms like “disturbing public opinion” could justify harsh crackdowns on dissent and journalism. The bill, co-drafted by the government and judiciary, had been fast-tracked in parliament and proposed prison terms of up to 15 years for spreading false information, penalties harsher than those for some serious crimes.

• Iranian Shipping Network Hit With Major US Sanctions: The US Treasury this week sanctioned over 50 individuals and entities. It also identified more than 50 ships tied to a vast shipping network run by Hossein Shamkhani, a son of senior Iranian official Ali Shamkhani. The United Stated accuses the younger Shamkhani of exploiting his father's political clout to build a massive fleet of tankers and cargo ships, moving oil and goods from Iran, Russia, and beyond, earning billions. Iran’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the move, calling it a “crime against humanity” and a violation of international law.

The Big Issue

Speak Out, Lose Service

Over the past year, and with renewed intensity this summer, Iranian authorities have ramped up a quiet but powerful method of pressuring citizens: blocking their SIM cards if they criticize the government on social media.

The targets? Not just journalists and activists, but academics and everyday users too. The pattern is clear: post something critical on platforms like Instagram or X, and you could suddenly lose mobile service. That means no calls, no texts, and in some cases, no access to banking or even ride-hailing apps.

To get reconnected, users say they’re required to delete the offending content, sign pledges to avoid future criticism, and in some cases, publish pro-Islamic republic posts.

Why It Matters: Legal experts say this tactic is both illegal under Iranian law and a clear violation of international norms. Some see this as an extension of the post-2022 crackdown on dissent and a warning to anyone who dares speak up.

The implications go far beyond speech. Losing your SIM card in Iran means being cut off from basic digital infrastructure -- a powerful form of pressure in a country where censorship already runs deep.

It’s no surprise Iran ranks near the bottom in global freedom indices. In its latest report, Freedom House cited vague laws, harsh penalties, and online surveillance as key reasons Iranians are increasingly afraid to speak openly, even in private.

What's Being Said: Take the case of Ali Akbar Gorji, a law professor at Tehran’s Shahid Beheshti University. His SIM card was shut off after he commented on Iran’s tensions with Israel. He told the Shargh newspaper that officials demanded the removal of his posts, but Radio Farda has learned that he was also told to post 20 times in support of the state.

Others shared similar stories with Radio Farda. One academic had to erase posts dating back to the 2022 "Women, Life, Freedom" protests. A user named Foad Ahmadi said authorities claimed he supported Israel, and as a result, not only lost mobile service, but also access to his bank account and everyday apps.

Expert Opinion: “Actions like blocking SIM cards or user accounts without filing a case or issuing a court ruling are clear violations of basic legal principles, including the separation of powers, the principle of legality, the presumption of innocence, and the right to a fair trial,” Mohammad Hadi Jafarpour, a lawyer, wrote.

That's all from me for now.

Until next time,

Kian Sharifi

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.

Welcome back to the Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter.

I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition, I’m looking at the worsening water crisis in Iran and its implications.

What You Need To Know

• Worsening Water Crisis: Iran is experiencing a deepening water crisis that has forced authorities to impose widespread water cuts, with dam reservoirs across the country dropping to their lowest levels in decades. Drought, mismanagement, and mounting climate challenges are causing major disruptions to daily life for millions.

• US Management of the Zangezur Corridor In The Caucasus: The United States has suggested putting the proposed Zangezur Corridor -- connecting Azerbaijan and its Naxcivan exclave via Armenia -- under American management, triggering alarm in Iran. Experts say Tehran fears the plan would isolate it, weaken its influence, and force reliance on Azerbaijan for trade, risking “geopolitical suffocation.” Armenia insists the link must remain a transit route under its sovereignty, while Azerbaijan opposes any foreign involvement. Analysts describe the US proposal as unworkable and ill-prepared.

• Iran, E3 To Meet In Istanbul: Iran and the E3 (Britain, France, and Germany) are set to meet in Istanbul on July 25 for deputy‑level talks on Tehran’s nuclear program and potential sanctions relief. It will be their first meeting since a June cease-fire that ended a 12‑day conflict between Israel and Iran and followed US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The EU’s deputy foreign policy chief will also attend. European governments have warned they could trigger a UN “snap‑back” of sanctions by the end of August if talks stall, while Iran insists on recognition of its right to enrich uranium and trust‑building steps from Washington before deeper negotiations.

The Big Issue

Is Tehran Becoming Uninhabitable?

Over 40 cities across Iran, including Tehran, are facing routine water rationing and prolonged supply interruptions.

In some areas, households and businesses endure hours-long daily outages as officials scramble to take emergency measures.

The roots of the crisis lie in a mix of prolonged drought and drastically reduced rainfall, soaring temperatures, excessive extraction from aquifers, and years of inefficient management -- especially in agriculture.

While urgent water transfer projects and aggressive conservation campaigns have been launched, the scale of the problem is nationwide, affecting both urban centers and rural communities.

President Masud Pezeshkian has acknowledged the scale of mismanagement that contributed to the crisis, arguing that basic changes are now critical to the nation’s future.

He’s also referenced the worsening water crisis to again broach the subject of moving the country's capital, saying “the continued survival of Tehran as the capital is no longer possible.”

Why It Matters: Iran has entered its fifth consecutive year of drought, with rainfall in several provinces, including Sistan-Baluchistan, Hormozgan, Bushehr and Khuzestan, dropping by more than 50 percent.

The prolonged dry spell has severely strained water supplies, with the latest reports indicating that reservoirs feeding Tehran’s dams are now at just 14 percent of their total capacity.

Pezeshkian’s government last year floated an ambitious idea: relocating the nation’s capital to the Makran coast on the shores of the Sea of Oman. He even appointed his campaign chief, Ali Abdolalizadeh, as a special envoy for “maritime economy development.”

However, following widespread criticism, the plan has been quietly shelved. Analysts warn that the Makran region itself remains underdeveloped, with large areas still lacking even basic water pipelines.

What's Being Said: Azam Bahrami, a water and environmental expert based in the Netherlands, says agricultural practices need to change in Iran as part of broader reforms to ensure efficient water use.

She told RFE/RL’s Radio Farda that agriculture accounts for up to 90 percent of Iran’s water use.

Water officials say nearly half of Iran’s provinces are now officially water-stressed and that current supplies simply don’t match demand.

Expert Opinion: “The decisive factor is the ruling establishment, because it is the authorities who invest, introduce new technologies, monitor progress, and strengthen society to help it endure climate change and long-term drought,” Bahrami told Radio Farda.

That's all from me for now.

Until next time,

Kian Sharifi

If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday.