Apple may have banned the sale of its products in Iran and have no official agents in the country, but the iPhone remains one of the most popular phones among Iranians.
Although many Iranians are struggling to make ends meet under tough foreign sanctions and a crippling economic crisis, some spend huge amounts of money on buying the latest Apple phones, which are brought into Iran through unofficial channels by importers from neighbouring countries.
However, on 22 May, local media reported that Apple’s iPhones have now been completely banned.
Importers said they had been blocked from registering new orders for Apple phones on an online system run by the Iranian Ministry of Industries, Mines and Trade (MIMT).
When trying to register their orders, a message appeared on the system reading: “The Apple mobile phone brand has been included in the Goods Category No. 27 since 22 May and registering orders will not be possible.”
Controversy over American phones and their popularity has played out in the Iranian public discourse in recent years, with authorities becoming increasingly hostile to the products. But Iranian importers are unsure why the ban has come in now.
Alireza, an Iranian businessman who imports mobile phones, told Middle East Eye: “It is not clear what is happening behind the scenes and why they imposed this ban or restriction, but whatever the case, its effect can be seen in the market immediately.”
Mohammad Javad Azari Jahromi, former information and communications technology minister, reminded people on his Telegram channel that previous efforts to ban iPhones had mixed success. (MiddleEastEye)