Iran Restores Internet After Long Blackout Amid Conflict

Organizations monitoring internet traffic reported a surge in activity as Iranians reconnected to the global online network. This development followed a government-imposed blackout during military actions by the United States and Israel.

On Tuesday, Iran started to restore internet access, affecting tens of millions of citizens. This information was confirmed by a senior official, signaling an end to the shutdown that began on February 28 due to military strikes. The first vice president, Mohammad Reza Aref, announced on social media the initial steps towards free and regulated cyberspace access.

In line with the president’s mission, the promise of internet access is being fulfilled.

NetBlocks, an internet observatory group, highlighted a “partial restoration to internet connectivity” in the country. The shutdown lasted 88 days, setting a record for the longest nationwide internet blackout in modern history.

Many Iranians shared their return to the global internet through social media and direct messages to The New York Times after more than 12 weeks of isolation. Officials cited national security as the reason, while activists argued it was meant to suppress communication and control the population amid conflict.

Amir Rashidi, a cybersecurity expert from Miaan, noted an increase in online traffic from both fixed and mobile connections. Rashidi mentioned some providers have resumed services but cautioned against prematurely concluding the situation’s stability.

During earlier nationwide protests in January, authorities imposed another shutdown. While some internet connectivity returned, traffic levels only reached about 50% of previous capacities.

The shutdown severely impacted Iran’s economy, already destabilized by conflict. The tech sector faced closures and layoffs, and those reliant on online sales struggled financially during the blackout.