Iran's president orders full internet restoration after 87-day shutdown

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the complete reopening of international internet access, ending an 87-day shutdown that marked the longest in the country's history. The decision was announced by Iran's Ministry of Communications, according to state media.

The widespread internet restrictions were imposed shortly after the conflict between the US and Iran escalated on February 28. During the blackout, most Iranians were limited to the "national internet," which provides access only to state-approved websites. Access to the global internet was largely restricted, with only a few citizens able to use expensive VPN services to bypass the limitations. Parts of the military and government apparatus, however, reportedly maintained unrestricted internet access.

This is not the first time Iranian authorities have blocked internet access. Similar shutdowns occurred during widespread protests in 2019 and the unrest in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini while in the custody of the morality police. The government has also previously blocked GPS signals to prevent the use of alternative communication channels like Starlink.

In late April, authorities had begun to ease some restrictions, allowing international phone calls and access to services like Google. The current decision to fully restore internet access signals a significant shift in policy, though the reasons behind the prolonged shutdown and its eventual end remain subjects of international observation.