By Uzair Qureshi
Internet connectivity has started returning in parts of Iran after months of severe nationwide restrictions that left millions of people disconnected from the global web during one of the country’s longest digital blackouts in recent history.
Iranian state media reported that President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered authorities to begin restoring international internet access following growing economic pressure and public frustration over the extended shutdown.
According to internet monitoring groups and international media reports, the blackout lasted nearly three months and intensified after regional conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States escalated earlier this year. Connectivity levels reportedly dropped to near-zero during parts of the shutdown, severely limiting communication both inside and outside the country.
NetBlocks and other monitoring organizations said internet traffic has recently begun recovering in some areas, although many Iranians continue reporting unstable connections and ongoing restrictions on major international platforms and services.
Iranian authorities had defended the blackout as a national security measure during protests and wartime tensions, while critics accused the government of using internet restrictions to control information, suppress dissent, and limit coverage of unrest across the country. Human rights organizations and digital freedom groups repeatedly condemned the shutdown.
The prolonged disruption heavily impacted Iran’s economy, especially online businesses, freelancers, startups, and digital service industries that rely on international connectivity. Reports estimate the blackout cost the economy millions of dollars per day while forcing many workers offline.
Before the broader reopening announcement, Iranian officials had already introduced limited “tiered internet” access that reportedly allowed selected businesses, institutions, and approved users to connect under fewer restrictions while ordinary citizens remained blocked from much of the global internet.
Despite signs of restoration, uncertainty remains over how fully Iran will reconnect to the open internet. Analysts say hardline political factions inside the country continue pushing for tighter digital controls and expanded reliance on Iran’s domestic intranet system rather than unrestricted global access.
Experts also warn that social media platforms, messaging apps, and foreign websites may still face filtering and censorship even if broader internet connectivity improves in the coming weeks.