Iran's President Orders Internet Restoration

Iranian President has ordered the restoration of internet access, though no concrete date has been provided for when the service will be fully available. Iranian media reported in mid-May that the internet might be restored by June 5.

The government had imposed a near-total blackout on access to the global internet since the war began on February 28. For approximately 90 million Iranians, this meant access was limited to a "national internet" that only allowed connections to state-approved portals.

The internet blockade had severe social and economic consequences. Over one million online traders in the country experienced a sharp decline in income due to the restrictions. While the state officially cited security reasons for the internet shutdown, observers suggest the leadership's primary aim was to prevent the dissemination of information, photos, and videos on social media detailing the true scale of the war's impact and public sentiment within the country.