Iran lifts ban on new iPhone models

Iran lifted the ban on new iPhone models by Apple, allowing Iranians to purchase iPhones 14, 15, and 16. The ban had been in place since 2023 but has now been lifted, said its telecommunications minister, Satar Hashemi on Wednesday on X.

Hashemi further said the problem of registering new iPhone models on the Iranian market was “solved” and that President Masoud Pezeshkian backed the efforts of the communication ministry toward that goal.

Import measures for the new models will be announced soon. Despite the ban, older iPhone models could still be imported, especially the iPhone 13, which is popular among young Iranians.

During the ban, any iPhone 14, 15, or newer model brought into Iran would cease to function on the country’s state-controlled mobile networks after one month, which coincided with the duration of tourist visas.

The ban led to the emergence of a secondary market for older handsets, causing prices to skyrocket as individuals looked to invest their depreciating Iranian rials in physical commodities.

Attribution: The Associated Press

Subediting: Y.Yasser