Iranian businessman Babak Zanjani said mobile phones will connect to "global internet" without requiring domestic infrastructure within a year, arguing that internet shutdowns represent outdated thinking comparable to 1980s video restrictions, according to a social media post on January 22.

Iran imposed the nationwide internet blackout on January 8 as anti-government protests intensified, severely disrupting businesses, digital services and international communications following the gunned down protests which killed at least 3,000 people.

"By next year, mobile phones will connect to global internet without needing the country's domestic internet. Therefore, mistaken thinking about cutting off internet is actually erasing the face of the problem; the same ineffective 1960s-era view toward video prohibition," Zanjani wrote.

The businessman, known for his controversial business dealings, outlined what he described as real solutions to prevent unrest, including creating powerful and trustworthy media, building a strong popular base, enabling free and transparent economic activity, and genuinely protecting people's rights and livelihoods.

"In a future with free internet, every citizen can become a voice for consciously defending the country, not a passive audience," Zanjani wrote.

He said managing the country with outdated ideas and incompetent managers disconnected from technology is impossible, arguing that real transformation will only be achieved by replacing them with young, specialist and forward-looking forces.

The comments come as Iran's internet shutdown enters its third week, with the National Security Council secretary saying on January 21 that no precise timeline for restoring connectivity can be announced. Under 5% of users remain connected to the global internet.

The government's executive vice president apologised for the shutdown on January 22, saying the disruption cannot continue indefinitely, whilst business operators reported severe economic losses from the blackout.

Satellite internet services like Starlink have increasingly enabled users to bypass government-controlled infrastructure, though Iran has sought to restrict such technologies. The development of direct satellite-to-phone connectivity by companies, including SpaceX, could potentially circumvent traditional internet shutdown measures.

Babak Zanjani is an Iranian businessman who was sentenced to death in 2016 on corruption charges related to oil sales during international sanctions. He was convicted of withholding $2.8bn owed to the Iranian government from oil deals conducted on behalf of the state during the sanctions period. Zanjani, who amassed significant wealth through oil trading operations, has been imprisoned since 2013.

His death sentence was upheld by Iran's Supreme Court in 2017, though it has not been carried out. He remains one of Iran's most high-profile white-collar crime cases and his assets were ordered to be confiscated by Iranian authorities.

UN Special Rapporteur Mai Sato says reports from medical officials in Iran indicate the number of dead may reach at least 20,000; however, figures elsewhere suggest different numbers.