The Iranian government on Tuesday (May 26) began restoring internet access after nearly three months of nationwide restrictions imposed during the war with the United States and Israel. In a post on X, Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said that the first step toward free and regulated access to the internet in the country has been taken. He added that the demands of Iranians “will be fulfilled”. His remarks came as Iran’s judiciary earlier today suspended a presidential body that had ordered the restoration of the internet.“The first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken,” Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said in a post on X. He added that the demands of Iranian citizens “will be fulfilled.”Internet monitor Netblocks reported signs of connectivity returning across the country. “Live metrics show a partial restoration to internet connectivity in Iran on day 88,” of the shutdown, Netblocks said on X. It added that it was “unclear” if this meant a permanent end to the “longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history.”Iran first imposed sweeping internet restrictions during anti-government protests that peaked in early January. Authorities again shut down access on February 28 after the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel. During the blackout, citizens were largely limited to domestic platforms and websites hosted on Iran’s national intranet system.However, uncertainty remains over the future of internet access after Iran’s judiciary suspended a presidential body that had ordered the restoration. The judiciary’s Mizan Online website said the suspension followed the “filing of complaints,” without specifying who filed them.The suspended body, the Special Headquarters for Organising and Governing the Country’s Cyberspace, was established by President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 12. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani had earlier confirmed that the body decided to “restore the internet” after reports that Pezeshkian approved the measure.Iran’s Supreme National Security Council retains final authority over internet restoration decisions. Meanwhile, authorities recently introduced a tiered system called “Pro Internet”, which granted broader online access to selected professionals for higher fees.Earlier in April, NetBlocks described the restrictions as “the longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country,” underscoring international concerns over digital freedoms in Iran. &nbsp;

Iran began partially restoring internet access after an 88-day wartime blackout imposed during the conflict with the US and Israel, though uncertainty remains after court intervention.

The Iranian government on Tuesday (May 26) began restoring internet access after nearly three months of nationwide restrictions imposed during the war with the United States and Israel. In a post on X, Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said that the first step toward free and regulated access to the internet in the country has been taken. He added that the demands of Iranians “will be fulfilled”. His remarks came as Iran’s judiciary earlier today suspended a presidential body that had ordered the restoration of the internet. “The first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace has been taken,” Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said in a post on X. He added that the demands of Iranian citizens “will be fulfilled.” Internet monitor Netblocks reported signs of connectivity returning across the country. “Live metrics show a partial restoration to internet connectivity in Iran on day 88,” of the shutdown, Netblocks said on X. It added that it was “unclear” if this meant a permanent end to the “longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history.” Iran first imposed sweeping internet restrictions during anti-government protests that peaked in early January. Authorities again shut down access on February 28 after the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel. During the blackout, citizens were largely limited to domestic platforms and websites hosted on Iran’s national intranet system. However, uncertainty remains over the future of internet access after Iran’s judiciary suspended a presidential body that had ordered the restoration. The judiciary’s Mizan Online website said the suspension followed the “filing of complaints,” without specifying who filed them. The suspended body, the Special Headquarters for Organising and Governing the Country’s Cyberspace, was established by President Masoud Pezeshkian on May 12. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani had earlier confirmed that the body decided to “restore the internet” after reports that Pezeshkian approved the measure. Iran’s Supreme National Security Council retains final authority over internet restoration decisions. Meanwhile, authorities recently introduced a tiered system called “Pro Internet”, which granted broader online access to selected professionals for higher fees. Earlier in April, NetBlocks described the restrictions as “the longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country,” underscoring international concerns over digital freedoms in Iran.

Iran began partially restoring internet access after an 88-day wartime blackout imposed during the conflict with the US and Israel, though uncertainty remains after court intervention.

‘First step has been taken’: Iran begins restoring internet after 88 days of blackout as judiciary suspends presidential body

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an order to the Ministry of Communications for restoring internet access in the country after an 87-day blackout that started with the US and Israeli strikes, reported Iranian state media, citing an official. The report cited the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry. Reports, citing informed sources, said the decision was made at a meeting of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace chaired by Vice President Mohammadreza Aref.&nbsp;However, it was not known when and how Iran would reconnect to the global web following the decision.Most Iranians have been unable to access the worldwide web for 87 days, according to the internet observatory NetBlocks on Monday, with only a few citizens having access to expensive and advanced VPNs that circumvent the restrictions.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-s-push-for-muslim-nations-joining-abraham-accords-puts-pakistan-in-a-fix-1779729876943">Trump’s push for Muslim nations to join Abraham Accords puts Pakistan in a fix</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;The Iranian authorities initially imposed an internet blackout from Jan 8 in response to nationwide anti-government protests. The internet connections turned normal in February, before a new blackout was initiated after the start of US and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb 28.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-immediate-energy-or-fertiliser-crisis-normalcy-in-4-5-days-if-iran-war-ends-govt-1779720018471">‘No immediate energy or fertiliser crisis, normalcy in 4-5 days if Iran war ends’: Govt</a>&nbsp;Even in normal times, access to the global internet remains heavily restricted in Iran via censorship of many websites, while authorities rely on an intranet to provide connected services without relying on the worldwide web, notably for schools which are currently following an online curriculum.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-demands-urgent-release-of-12-billion-frozen-in-qatar-before-advancing-peace-talks-with-us-1779714088498">Iran demands urgent release of $12 billion frozen in Qatar before advancing peace talks with US</a>&nbsp;The move made it difficult for Iranian civilians to receive updates while Israel and the US were bombing the country and caused significant damage to businesses that rely heavily on internet connectivity.&nbsp;The IRGC-affiliated Fars News earlier questioned the government’s authority to issue such an order. It argued that the decision to restrict internet access was made by the Supreme National Security Council and must therefore be reversed by the same body.

Even in normal times, access to global internet remains heavily restricted in Iran via censorship of many websites, while authorities rely on intranet to provide connected services without relying on the worldwide web, notably for schools which are currently following an online curriculum.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian issued an order to the Ministry of Communications for restoring internet access in the country after an 87-day blackout that started with the US and Israeli strikes, reported Iranian state media, citing an official. The report cited the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry. Reports, citing informed sources, said the decision was made at a meeting of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace chaired by Vice President Mohammadreza Aref. However, it was not known when and how Iran would reconnect to the global web following the decision. Most Iranians have been unable to access the worldwide web for 87 days, according to the internet observatory NetBlocks on Monday, with only a few citizens having access to expensive and advanced VPNs that circumvent the restrictions. Also Read: Trump’s push for Muslim nations to join Abraham Accords puts Pakistan in a fix The Iranian authorities initially imposed an internet blackout from Jan 8 in response to nationwide anti-government protests. The internet connections turned normal in February, before a new blackout was initiated after the start of US and Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb 28. Also Read: ‘No immediate energy or fertiliser crisis, normalcy in 4-5 days if Iran war ends’: Govt Even in normal times, access to the global internet remains heavily restricted in Iran via censorship of many websites, while authorities rely on an intranet to provide connected services without relying on the worldwide web, notably for schools which are currently following an online curriculum. Also Read: Iran demands urgent release of $12 billion frozen in Qatar before advancing peace talks with US The move made it difficult for Iranian civilians to receive updates while Israel and the US were bombing the country and caused significant damage to businesses that rely heavily on internet connectivity. The IRGC-affiliated Fars News earlier questioned the government’s authority to issue such an order. It argued that the decision to restrict internet access was made by the Supreme National Security Council and must therefore be reversed by the same body.

Even in normal times, access to global internet remains heavily restricted in Iran via censorship of many websites, while authorities rely on intranet to provide connected services without relying on the worldwide web, notably for schools which are currently following an online curriculum.

Iran’s president orders restoration of internet access after 87-day blackout: Iranian state media

Some Iranians have finally been able to get online, as after months of near-total blackout, Tehran had rolled out a privileged service for a select few. The internet service being offered to a select few at astronomical prices has sparked public criticism, with netizens slamming the new model as "clearly meant to generate money".<h2>Netizens cough up sky-high prices to once again join the digital world</h2>Iran has been in a near-total internet blackout since February 28, the day the United States and Israel launched their campaign against Iran, and the government imposed what has become the longest nation-scale internet shutdown ever recorded.By May 13, according to internet monitor NetBlocks, it had tracked the blackout for 1,776 hours, or 75 days. “The digital censorship measure has led to profiteering and a decline in digital security as government-backed ”pro" internet schemes and selective whitelisting result in surveillance, corruption and scams," it noted in a post on X.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">💸 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Iran?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Iran</a>&#39;s internet blackout is now past hour 1776, entering its 75th day. The digital censorship measure has led to profiteering and a decline in digital security as government-backed &quot;pro&quot; internet schemes and selective whitelisting result in surveillance, corruption and scams. <a href="https://t.co/iVk6Lx0EFf">pic.twitter.com/iVk6Lx0EFf</a>&mdash; NetBlocks (@netblocks) <a href="https://twitter.com/netblocks/status/2054469192271720950?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 13, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

When a message arrived on Amir-Hassan's phone offering him access to the internet through a special paid service, he didn't think twice. He paid around $11 for an initial 50-gigabyte package. He had no real choice. The 39-year-old tech worker had been without internet access since February 28.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistan-two-timed-trump-report-reveals-islamabad-quietly-sheltered-iranian-military-aircraft-while-brokering-peace-talks-1778551810479">Pakistan two-timed Trump? Report REVEALS Islamabad quietly sheltered Iranian military aircraft while playing mediator in Iran war</a><h2>Internet replaced by a tiered system favouring a select few</h2>What has replaced open internet access is something critics are calling a tiered system, one where connectivity has been transformed, in the words of the reformist Shargh newspaper, "from a public and civic right into an allocable privilege."A government-backed scheme called "Pro Internet" is now offering certain professionals and business owners in Iran limited access at above-normal prices. The scheme has sparked public anger, accusations of profiteering, and concerns about surveillance."This model of categorising and classifying the internet in Iran is not a good model," Amir-Hassan told AFP. "It is clearly meant to generate money." Through the Pro Internet service, he can access WhatsApp and Telegram, but not Instagram, X or YouTube without a VPN. The social stigma of subscribing has added another layer of discomfort. "There is judgment, too," Amir-Hassan said. "People say you went and put money into the pocket of a government that unfairly offers this."Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-tell-the-pope-trump-reveals-he-sent-rubio-to-vatican-with-a-pointed-message-on-iran-1778313211041">‘Tell the pope’: Trump REVEALS he sent Rubio to Vatican with a pointed message on Iran</a><h2>Third-class citizens?</h2>However, according to AFP, not everyone within the designated professional groups has even received the offer. Behrooz Mahmoodi-Bakhtiari, a linguistics professor at the University of Tehran, told the news agency that he did not receive the invitation to subscribe. He said he can access the internet reliably only while on campus. "As soon as you step out of the university, you will again become a third-class citizen, and you have no internet access," he said, noting that other professors at the same institution have received the offer.The financial burden of the scheme sits atop an economy already under severe strain. Inflation has surged above 50 per cent in recent weeks, the rial has lost much of its value, and basic goods have become sharply more expensive. For many Iranians, paying for limited internet access on top of VPN subscriptions and rising living costs is a stretch that isn't justified by what's on offer. The government's response has been to blame the war's "enemies" for creating the security conditions that made the blackout necessary. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the internet situation would return to normal "once the shadow of war is gone." Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing conflicts in West Asia involving Israel, Iran, US, Gulf nations and non-state actors like Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis, Islamic State, and others. Claims and counterclaims, disinformation and misinformation are being made online and offline. Given this context, WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, social media posts, photos and videos.

After 75 days of near-total blackout, some Iranians are getting internet back, but only if they can pay steep prices for restricted “Pro Internet.” Critics say connectivity has shifted from public right to premium privilege, creating a tiered digital class system under crisis. Scroll down.

Some Iranians have finally been able to get online, as after months of near-total blackout, Tehran had rolled out a privileged service for a select few. The internet service being offered to a select few at astronomical prices has sparked public criticism, with netizens slamming the new model as "clearly meant to generate money". Netizens cough up sky-high prices to once again join the digital world Iran has been in a near-total internet blackout since February 28, the day the United States and Israel launched their campaign against Iran, and the government imposed what has become the longest nation-scale internet shutdown ever recorded. By May 13, according to internet monitor NetBlocks, it had tracked the blackout for 1,776 hours, or 75 days. “The digital censorship measure has led to profiteering and a decline in digital security as government-backed ”pro" internet schemes and selective whitelisting result in surveillance, corruption and scams," it noted in a post on X.

After 75 days of near-total blackout, some Iranians are getting internet back, but only if they can pay steep prices for restricted “Pro Internet.” Critics say connectivity has shifted from public right to premium privilege, creating a tiered digital class system under crisis. Scroll down.

Want internet in Iran? You'll have to buy your way out of ‘longest nation-scale blackout on record'; Here's how

Iran faces a 47-day internet blackout as the regime suppresses internal dissent amidst economic collapse. While a fragile ceasefire holds externally, domestic resistance grows, seeking US support.

Iran faces a 47-day internet blackout as the regime suppresses internal dissent amidst economic collapse. While a fragile ceasefire holds externally, domestic resistance grows, seeking US support.

'47 days of silence': What is happening inside Iran as it wages war with US?

Internet blackout in Iran continued on Sunday (Jan 18) after a brief and heavily restricted restoration of access, leaving the country largely cut off from the outside world for a 10th straight day amid nationwide unrest. Rights groups said that the communications shutdown is aimed at hiding a violent crackdown on protests that has reportedly killed thousands.Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said traffic levels fell again after limited access to select Google and messaging services was abruptly withdrawn."Traffic levels have fallen after a brief, heavily filtered restoration of select Google and messaging services in Iran," the group said on late Sunday.&nbsp;This came as President Ebrahim Raisi warned that any attack on Iran’s supreme leader would amount to a declaration of war, an apparent response to US President Donald Trump’s call for new leadership in Iran.Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned US President Donald Trump that any attack on the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be considered a declaration of war with the Islamic Republic. The US president has repeatedly warned Iran of a US military intervention over its government’s crackdown against anti-regime protesters.“An attack on the great leader of our country is tantamount to a full-scale war with the Iranian nation,” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X.Earlier on Saturday (Jan 17), Trump told Politico, “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” accusing Khamenei of killing thousands of people to keep control over power.Norway-based Iran Human Rights said that it has verified that 3,428 protesters have been killed by security forces amid demonstrations that started weeks ago over the rising cost of living in the country. The NGO confirmed the cases through sources within the Islamic Republic's health and medical system, witnesses and independent sources. It further warned that the actual toll is likely to be much higher. Meanwhile, thousands marched in the United States on Sunday, denouncing the Iranian government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said traffic levels fell again after limited access to select Google and messaging services was abruptly withdrawn.

Internet blackout in Iran continued on Sunday (Jan 18) after a brief and heavily restricted restoration of access, leaving the country largely cut off from the outside world for a 10th straight day amid nationwide unrest. Rights groups said that the communications shutdown is aimed at hiding a violent crackdown on protests that has reportedly killed thousands. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said traffic levels fell again after limited access to select Google and messaging services was abruptly withdrawn. "Traffic levels have fallen after a brief, heavily filtered restoration of select Google and messaging services in Iran," the group said on late Sunday. This came as President Ebrahim Raisi warned that any attack on Iran’s supreme leader would amount to a declaration of war, an apparent response to US President Donald Trump’s call for new leadership in Iran. Earlier on Sunday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned US President Donald Trump that any attack on the country’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, would be considered a declaration of war with the Islamic Republic. The US president has repeatedly warned Iran of a US military intervention over its government’s crackdown against anti-regime protesters. “An attack on the great leader of our country is tantamount to a full-scale war with the Iranian nation,” Pezeshkian wrote in a post on X. Earlier on Saturday (Jan 17), Trump told Politico, “It’s time to look for new leadership in Iran,” accusing Khamenei of killing thousands of people to keep control over power. Norway-based Iran Human Rights said that it has verified that 3,428 protesters have been killed by security forces amid demonstrations that started weeks ago over the rising cost of living in the country. The NGO confirmed the cases through sources within the Islamic Republic's health and medical system, witnesses and independent sources. It further warned that the actual toll is likely to be much higher. Meanwhile, thousands marched in the United States on Sunday, denouncing the Iranian government's deadly crackdown on anti-government protesters.

Internet monitoring group NetBlocks said traffic levels fell again after limited access to select Google and messaging services was abruptly withdrawn.

Iran internet blackout: Disruption continues on 10th day after brief, restricted restoration amid protests

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‘First step has been taken’: Iran begins restoring internet after 88 days of blackout as judiciary suspends presidential body

Iran’s president orders internet access restoration after 87 days: Iranian media

Want internet in Iran? Govt says buy your way out of longest blackout on record

'47 days of silence': What is happening inside Iran as it wages war with US?

Iran internet blackout: Disruption continues on 10th day after brief restoration