diff --git a/hermes_cli/gateway.py b/hermes_cli/gateway.py
index 05dc69e23823..552f457cd3a4 100644
--- a/hermes_cli/gateway.py
+++ b/hermes_cli/gateway.py
@@ -6147,16 +6147,6 @@ def _gateway_command_inner(args):
             sys.exit(1)
 
     elif subcmd == "stop":
-        # Defense: refuse self-targeting gateway stop from inside the gateway.
-        # Prevents agent-initiated kill loops when combined with supervisor KeepAlive.
-        if os.getenv("_HERMES_GATEWAY") == "1":
-            print_error(
-                "Refusing to stop the gateway from inside the gateway process.\n"
-                "This command was blocked to prevent restart loops.\n"
-                "Use `hermes gateway stop` from a shell outside the running gateway."
-            )
-            sys.exit(1)
-
         stop_all = getattr(args, "all", False)
         system = getattr(args, "system", False)
 
@@ -6240,16 +6230,6 @@ def _gateway_command_inner(args):
                 print(f"✓ Stopped {get_service_name()} service")
 
     elif subcmd == "restart":
-        # Defense: refuse self-targeting gateway restart from inside the gateway.
-        # Prevents agent-initiated kill loops when combined with supervisor KeepAlive.
-        if os.getenv("_HERMES_GATEWAY") == "1":
-            print_error(
-                "Refusing to restart the gateway from inside the gateway process.\n"
-                "This command was blocked to prevent restart loops.\n"
-                "Use `hermes gateway restart` from a shell outside the running gateway."
-            )
-            sys.exit(1)
-
         # Try service first, fall back to killing and restarting
         service_available = False
         system = getattr(args, "system", False)