Overview
- President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a directive to restore international internet access, instructing authorities to return connectivity to pre‑January 2026 conditions.
- Internet monitors recorded a partial technical reopening on the 88th day of the shutdown, with fixed/home networks recovering faster than mobile service and traffic remaining well below normal.
- Hours after the restoration began, Iran’s judiciary temporarily suspended the presidential body that approved the reopening, halting implementation of its decisions pending review.
- The blackout has severely harmed businesses, education and communications, pushed many users to rely on VPNs or smuggled Starlink terminals, and officials say easing access aims to relieve those economic pressures.
- The timing coincides with sensitive US‑Iran diplomatic talks and analysts warn that any return of service is likely to include continued filtering, heavy controls through the national intranet and selective access for approved users.