Is Iran disconnecting from the Internet?

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) posted a story today noting that Iran is taking steps to “disconnect Iranian cyberspace from the rest of the world.”

Observers of Iranian policy inside and outside the country see the move as the Iranian leadership’s attempt to “end the fight for control of the Internet.” The government is promoting its national Internet “as a cost-saving measure for consumers and as a way to uphold Islamic moral codes.”

Why the move? WSJ says it appears to be “part of a broader effort to confront what the regime now considers a major threat: an online invasion of Western ideas, culture and influence.”

A state-run news service recently reported Iran’s head of economic affairs, Ali Aghamohammadi, as saying Iran’s national Internet will be “a genuinely halal network, aimed at Muslims on an ethical and moral level.”

What does this mean? The national Internet will be compliant with Islamic law. And likely not very friendly toward Christians living in the country.

Aghamohammadi also said that eventually the national network could replace the global Internet in Iran, as well as in other Muslim countries.

Definitely not a good thing for Christians.

Please pray for the leaders in Iran as they contemplate a move toward a national network. Pray their eyes and hearts would be opened and that they will turn toward Jesus Christ. Pray, too, for Iranian Christians, that they would not be fearful but know that God is in control.

You can read the full article here.