Iran orders internet restored after nearly 90 days of restrictions

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of international internet access, ending nearly 90 days of restrictions. The shutdown, initially implemented on January 8 in response to nationwide anti-government protests, saw gradual restoration before being reimposed. New restrictions followed airstrikes by the United States and Israel starting February 28.

According to data from the global internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, most Iranians have been unable to access the global internet for 87 consecutive days. Only a small number could bypass the limitations using expensive and advanced VPNs. The government has increasingly relied on internal networks to provide connectivity without global access, particularly for schools now conducting online classes.

The specific mechanisms and timeline for Iran's reconnection to the global network remain unclear following the president's order. The country typically maintains strict controls over internet access, censoring numerous websites.