Iran Bans Motorola Phones Amid Security Concerns

Iran has lifted a ban on the import of new iPhones, allowing models 14, 15, and 16 to be registered in the country, a decision supported by telecommunications minister Satar Hashemi and President Masoud Pezeshkian. This ban had been in place since 2023, but it had driven up prices for older models as iPhones remain a status symbol among young Iranians. In contrast, Iran has imposed a ban on the import, sale, and use of Motorola phones following recent deadly pager explosions in Lebanon, which authorities linked to sabotage. The ban on Motorola devices was announced by Iranian Deputy Minister Mehdi Baradaran and is a response to security concerns, as the devices were implicated in the blasts that injured multiple individuals, including Iran's ambassador to Lebanon. Although Motorola holds a minor share of the Iranian market, the ban has caused uncertainty for retailers, who have begun removing Motorola products from their listings. The Iranian government's actions reflect ongoing tensions in the region and its efforts to manage potential security threats.