Iran Restores Internet After 88-Day Blackout; Access at 80%

Iran partially restored internet service on Monday after an 88-day, 2,093-hour blackout ordered by President Masoud Pezeshkian. Connectivity returned to about 80% of pre-blackout levels, though some instant messaging apps remain filtered.

Pezeshkian instructed the Ministry of Communications to reinstate general internet access after one of the country’s largest national blockades, which began following the first strikes by a U.S.-Israel coalition.

An internet observatory tracking the outage recorded that overall connectivity recovered to more than 80% of normal levels but said filters still affect instant messaging platforms. The observatory added that a significant number of users remained disconnected and that circumvention methods were still in use.

Iranian officials reported the suspension caused billions of dollars in economic losses and disrupted public services. Local e-commerce activity and online government services started to revive as networks came back online, while many people used virtual private networks and other tools during the blackout.

A widely used VPN provider reported a surge in users, saying Iranians were “flocking to VPNs like ours in order to combat the blocks and regain access to the free and open internet, where they can safely share and consume information.”

Not all officials supported the restitution. Peyman Jeblli, head of state broadcasting, and Mohammad-Amin Aghamiri, head of the National Center for Cyberspace, opposed reinstating broad access. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi defended the shutdown as a security measure, stating the government needed to “do everything to protect our people” while the country was under attack.

Pezeshkian acknowledged the role of digital communications, telling Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref that “communications based on information technologies and the internet have become an inseparable part of people’s lives,” and he urged that restoration take account of governance sensitivities, leadership views and promises made to the public.

Telecommunications providers and regulators are working to reestablish links, manage remaining traffic bottlenecks and apply existing filters. The partial reopening has left cybersecurity and filtering policy under debate as officials weigh security controls against restoring broader access.

During the interruption businesses reported losses and residents reported restricted access to news and communications. As connectivity resumed, demand for circumvention tools rose and internet-dependent services gradually returned, while some messaging restrictions remain in place.