Iran began restoring internet access on Monday after an 88-day nationwide blockade that followed U.S.-Israel coalition military strikes. President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the partial restoration, though filtering remains in place. The move ends one of the longest government-imposed internet blackouts in the country's history.
Why the internet was cut
The blockade started in late October, days after coordinated military strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iranian infrastructure. Authorities shut down nearly all domestic and international connectivity, citing security concerns. For nearly three months, Iranians could access only a handful of state-approved websites and messaging apps that had been pre-whitelisted.
The blackout hit everyday life hard. Businesses that relied on online payments ground to a halt. Students lost access to remote classes. Even basic services like ride-hailing apps and food delivery went dark. The shutdown was far broader than previous internet curbs, which typically lasted a few days during protests.
The restoration order
President Pezeshkian issued the directive Monday, instructing the Ministry of Communications to lift the blockade. The order came without a public explanation, though the president has previously criticized the blanket shutdown as economically damaging. The restoration is not complete — filtering systems are still active, meaning many popular platforms and services remain blocked or limited.
It's unclear exactly which websites and apps are now accessible. Early reports from inside Iran suggest that domestic services have returned to normal, while international platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and YouTube are still restricted or heavily filtered. The government has not published a list of what is permitted.
What the filters mean
The partial restoration leaves Iranians with a patchwork of access. Some can reach global news sites; others cannot. The filtering is being applied at the network level, so availability varies by internet service provider and region. VPN usage, which surged during the blackout, remains risky — authorities have often cracked down on tools that bypass filters.
For now, the internet is back but not free. The 88-day blockade was a stark reminder of how quickly the government can cut off the digital lifeline. Whether President Pezeshkian will order a full restoration or keep the filters in place indefinitely is the open question hanging over the country.
