The Session to Review Sattar Hashemi’s Qualifications Was Held in Parliamentary Commissions. In his introduction as the proposed Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Sattar Hashemi expressed concerns over filtering and the sale of VPNs. During the session, it was revealed that Hashemi was not approved by the Cultural Commission but was endorsed by the members of the Industries Commission.
According to Iran digital economy, Sattar Hashemi, while addressing the Parliament, discussed the distribution of resources across the country, collaboration with various sectors, and the Seventh Development Plan as the overarching strategy for the 14th government.
Hashemi highlighted the challenges ahead in implementing the Seventh Development Plan, emphasizing the need to focus on the obligations set for the Ministry of Communications. He noted that Chapter 13 of the plan outlines specific metrics and goals that require attention. Hashemi stressed the importance of a scientific and expert-driven approach to overcoming obstacles and enhancing the quality of services provided to the public, with a particular focus on strengthening infrastructure, especially in the fixed-line sector.
He dedicated much of his speech to the issue of filtering, stating that it has increased household communication costs and jeopardized cybersecurity. Hashemi pointed out that many cyberattacks are carried out through unauthorized VPNs installed on users’ devices. He questioned whether the current methods of managing access to the internet are effective and suggested that it might be time to reconsider these approaches.
The proposed minister also expressed concern that the widespread use of VPNs has made it easier for children to access unethical and violent content online. He called for a revision of the current internet management strategies through collaboration with various stakeholders.
Hashemi believes that reforming the management of cyberspace within the framework of national laws, considering national security, and promoting the digital economy, is feasible. He also emphasized the importance of facilitating public access to the internet while enhancing governance and supporting domestic platforms.
Sattar Hashemi was approved by the Industries Commission but not by the Cultural Commission. Zahra Saeedi, the representative for Mobarakeh and spokesperson for the Industries Commission, confirmed Hashemi’s qualification, stating that his credentials had been verified, and his educational background was authenticated. She added that Hashemi’s proposals aligned with the Supreme Cultural Council’s resolutions and national policies, leading to his approval by the commission.
During the session in the Iranian Parliament for introducing Sattar Hashemi as the proposed Minister of Communications and Information Technology, significant concerns were raised regarding his stance on filtering and the sale of VPNs, as well as his plans for the future of digital infrastructure in Iran. Although Hashemi was endorsed by the Industries Commission, he failed to secure approval from the Cultural Commission.
Cultural Commission’s Evaluation:
Ahmad Rastineh, spokesperson for the Cultural Commission, announced that Hashemi’s programs were evaluated based on various criteria, including relevance to current issues, realism, clarity, resource transparency, program cohesion, and comprehensiveness. While the program scored well in most areas, it was rated average in “future-orientation” and weak in “measurability.” Despite 51% of his plans aligning with higher-level documents and 42% being consistent with them, the commission ultimately did not approve his qualification after a vote.
Concerns Raised by Members:
-Hamid Rasaei (representative for Rey and Shemiranat) highlighted ambiguities in Hashemi’s plans, particularly regarding the continuation of efforts to expand the national information network and his unclear stance on strengthening domestic social networks and managing foreign platforms that could undermine religious values.
-Moslem Salehi (member of the Social Commission) questioned Hashemi’s plans to address the widespread sale of VPNs, which forces entrepreneurs to spend part of their income on VPNs to access the internet for legitimate purposes.
-Vali Dadashi (representative of Astara) criticized the uneven distribution of fiber optic infrastructure and poor mobile network coverages
in rural areas, leading to public dissatisfaction and even safety concerns during emergencies. He also raised issues about the high cost and slow speed of the internet in Iran compared to other countries.
-Davood Fatemi (representative of Babol) emphasized the importance of focusing on the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and the need for the Ministry of Communications to ensure information security and policy-making in complex technological domains. He supported Hashemi, stating that he is well-suited for the challenges of the modern era, particularly in AI, and could bridge the public, private, and academic sectors effectively.
Overall, the discussions revealed deep divisions among lawmakers regarding Hashemi’s qualifications and plans, particularly in arearelated to digital governance, infrastructure development, and the ethical implications of internet management.
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