Iranian state media reported on Monday that President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered a restoration of international internet access, citing an official from the Communications Ministry. The announcement follows a near-90-day period during which most citizens were unable to reach the worldwide web after successive restrictions tied to recent unrest and regional hostilities.
The state media account referenced the head of public relations at the Communications Ministry as the source for the presidential directive. The report did not provide specifics on the mechanism that would be used to reconnect Iran to the global internet, nor did it indicate a timeline for when full access might be re-established.
Independent monitoring by the internet observatory NetBlocks noted on Monday that most Iranians had been unable to access the global web for 87 days. According to that monitoring, only a limited number of people managed to bypass the restrictions using expensive, advanced virtual private network services.
The pattern of shutdowns dates back to January 8, when authorities initially imposed an internet blackout in response to nationwide anti-government protests. Connections had begun to return toward normal in February, but Tehran initiated a renewed blackout after U.S. and Israeli strikes against Iran began on February 28.
Even outside periods of mass outages, access to the international internet in Iran is constrained by broad censorship of many websites. The government has increasingly turned to a national intranet to deliver connected services without relying on the worldwide web. That domestic network is currently used for several functions, including facilitating an online curriculum for schools.
The state media note of a presidential order to reopen international connectivity leaves open several practical questions. Officials have not outlined whether restoration will be full or partial, what technical steps will be taken, and how quickly ordinary users will regain reliable global access. The Communications Ministry reference in the report does not include further operational details.
Summary
- President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the reopening of international internet access, according to state media citing the Communications Ministry.
- NetBlocks reported that most Iranians have been unable to access the worldwide web for 87 days, with only a few using costly advanced VPNs to bypass restrictions.
- Initial blackout began on January 8 amid nationwide protests, temporarily eased in February, then resumed after U.S. and Israeli strikes started on February 28.
- Authorities routinely restrict international access and are increasingly relying on a national intranet, which supports services such as online schooling.