They don’t do that. They have a list of URLs to block. HTTPS and HSTS already turns that list into a list of domains, so instead of single article, entire Wikipedia would have been blocked. Encrypting ___domain would turn that list into a list of IP addresses.
I used to think this way, but at this point I think they don't care. Bureaucracy trumps over anything. Court decided to block some URL and internet providers will block everything they have, otherwise they'll be fined for not executing court decision. And nobody cares about economic choices. Law is law and that's about it.
Iran would keep the internet blocked to the level they had during the height of the protests if no one cared about economics. They don’t because it actually costs everyone.
During times of tension (e.g the protests) the cost becomes worth it.
