Iran lifts ban on import of modern iPhones

Residents of Iran will soon be able to officially purchase the latest iPhone models. Until now, under the 2023 ban, any iPhone from series 14 onwards would stop working on Iran’s state-controlled mobile phone networks after a month, the period of time during which tourists are allowed to visit the country. Yesterday, Iran’s Minister of Telecommunications announced the lifting of the ban.

Iranian Telecommunications Minister Satar Hashemi said on social media X that the issue of registering new iPhone models in the Iranian market has been “resolved” and that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has supported the communications ministry’s efforts to achieve this goal. Hashemi did not provide details, but promised that information would appear soon.

After the 2023 ban, iPhone 13 and older smartphones continued to be imported into the country as they remained a status symbol for many young Iranians. The ban stimulated a “parallel economy” for older phone models, driving up prices for devices as many sought to invest the depreciating Iranian rial in any physical good. This was the result of economic problems plaguing Iran after decades of Western sanctions.

Image source: LCG Auctions

IPhone imports have long been a hotly debated issue—government statistics show that about a third of Iran’s total $4.4 billion mobile phone import market before the ban consisted of iPhones.

In particular, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in 2020 sharply criticized the import of the iPhone, as well as other “American luxury goods.” “Excessive imports are something dangerous,” he said. — Sometimes these imports are a luxury item, that is, they are not necessary. I heard that about half a billion dollars was spent on importing one type of American luxury mobile phone.”

However, other foreign smartphone brands such as Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, Xiaomi and Huawei are still widely available in Iran.