Iran's president orders reopening of international internet access - report

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of international internet access, according to Iranian state media. This decision follows a near 90-day blackout that has significantly limited the country's connection to the global web.

The internet shutdown initially began on January 8 in response to nationwide anti-government protests. While connections had started to normalize in February, a new, more severe blackout was imposed on February 28 following strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran. For 87 days, most Iranians have been unable to access the World Wide Web, with only a few able to use costly and advanced VPNs to circumvent the restrictions, according to the Internet Observatory NetBlocks.

Details regarding the specific mechanism and timeline for reconnecting Iran to the global internet remain unknown. Even during normal periods, internet access in Iran is heavily restricted, with many websites censored. Authorities have increasingly promoted an intranet for domestic services, particularly for schools operating on an online curriculum. The reopening of international access marks a significant shift after a prolonged period of isolation.