TEHRAN -- Iranian authorities have lifted a ban on Meta’s instant messaging platform WhatsApp and Google Play, IRNA reported on Tuesday.
“A positive majority vote has been reached to lift limitations on access to some popular foreign platforms such as WhatsApp and Google Play,” it said, referring to a meeting of Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace headed by President Masoud Pezeshkian.
The meeting was attended by the heads of the three branches of government, ministers, and other council members.
Following a presentation of perspectives previously assessed by relevant authorities, the council approved adjustments to existing restrictions, IRNA said.
“Today, we took the first step towards lifting internet restrictions with unity and collaboration,” Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi wrote on X. 
Social media platforms were widely used in foreign-backed riots in Iran.
At the session on Tuesday, the importance of regulated governance in cyberspace and the need to support domestic platforms was underscored, IRNA said.