TEHRAN, Iran — In a recent development, Iranian authorities announced the removal of the ban on new iPhone models, allowing consumers to purchase the iPhone 14, 15, and 16, among others. This decision was revealed by the telecommunications minister on Wednesday. The prohibition on importing these new models had been implemented in 2023, but the minister confirmed that the registration process for the latest iPhones has now been permitted.

Telecommunications Minister Satar Hashemi communicated on X, indicating that the issue surrounding the registration of fresh iPhone models has been addressed. He further mentioned that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian supports the communication ministry’s initiatives to facilitate this process. Although he did not provide specific details, Hashemi noted that the measures concerning imports would be disclosed shortly.

Prior to this announcement, despite the ban, the iPhone 13 and earlier versions were still allowed entry into Iran, reflecting the high demand for these devices, which are perceived as a status symbol among the youth. While the ban was effective, it rendered any newly imported iPhone 14, 15, or subsequent models useless on Iran’s state-operated mobile networks after a month—a time frame aligned with the duration of a tourist visa.

This prohibition led to the emergence of a parallel market for older iPhone models, causing a surge in their prices as many individuals opted to invest their declining Iranian rials into tangible commodities. This situation highlighted the severe economic challenges facing Iran, which have been exacerbated by years of Western sanctions.

Historically, the issue of iPhone imports has been fraught with tension; government data suggested that prior to the ban, approximately one-third of Iran’s total mobile phone import market, valued at $4.4 billion, was comprised of iPhones. In 2020, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei openly criticized the importation of iPhones, along with other American luxury goods. He condemned excessive imports, suggesting they pose a danger to the economy. Khamenei remarked that significant amounts of money were directed towards importing luxury cellphones from the United States.

In contrast, while iPhones faced restrictions, several other international smartphone brands, including Motorola, Samsung, Nokia, Xiaomi, and Huawei, continue to be widely accessible within the Iranian market.