Iran restores global Internet access after months of restrictions

Iran has restored access to the global internet after months of severe restrictions imposed during nationwide unrest earlier this year and later intensified during the conflict involving the United States and Israel, according to Iranian semi-official media reports.

Tasnim news agency reported Tuesday that authorities had begun lifting restrictions following instructions from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to return internet access to conditions that existed before January 2026.

Under the latest changes, users across Iran can once again access international websites through both fixed broadband and mobile internet networks. Services including FTTH, VDSL and ADSL connections have reportedly resumed without the extensive restrictions that had disrupted online access for months.

Iran imposed a near-total internet shutdown during major protests on January 8 and 9, after widespread demonstrations erupted over worsening economic conditions and the rapid depreciation of the Iranian rial against the US dollar.

Authorities later tightened restrictions further following military tensions and conflict involving the US and Israel beginning on February 28.

During that period, internet connectivity inside the country became increasingly limited, with many users relying heavily on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to access foreign websites and social media platforms.

Although domestic online services, banking systems and local Iranian platforms continued operating during much of the disruption, access to the wider global internet remained unstable and heavily filtered.

Major international platforms including YouTube and X remain blocked in Iran, meaning many users are still dependent on VPN services despite the restoration of broader internet access.

The restrictions had a major impact on businesses, e-commerce activity, media access and communication with the outside world. Iranian companies and freelancers that rely on international platforms reportedly faced months of disruption, while ordinary users struggled with slow connections and inconsistent access to foreign websites.

Iranian authorities said more than 3,100 people were killed during the unrest, while some human rights groups estimated the death toll could be significantly higher.

Officials in Tehran have acknowledged growing public frustration over economic pressures but accused the United States and Israel of attempting to exploit the unrest through sanctions, political pressure and efforts aimed at destabilizing the country.

Analysts previously noted that Iran’s measures did not fully shut down all internet infrastructure nationwide. Instead, authorities largely restricted access to the international internet while maintaining many domestic digital services through the country’s national information network system.

The restoration of broader internet access is expected to ease pressure on businesses and improve communications, though digital restrictions and censorship measures on several major global platforms remain in place.