Economists estimate Iran’s digital economy generates roughly 30 trillion rials (about $42 million) a day. “What we do know is that Instagram and WhatsApp are widely used by small businesses, and many have now lost customers completely,” he added. Another online seller said most digital businesses lack the reserves to survive even days without revenue. “If this situation continues, it can really push the digital economy toward destruction,” said Reza Olfatnasab, head of the union of virtual businesses. Analysts say the gap exposes a deeper problem than the shutdown itself: Iran lacks any transparent, standardized system to measure its digital economy.

Source: The Times January 30, 2026 09:23 UTC