Iran Lifts Months-Long Block on Global Internet Access

Tehran, MINA – Iran has restored international internet access following months of restrictions imposed after nationwide protests in January and later intensified during the war with the United States and Israel, according to Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency on Tuesday.

Tasnim reported that the process of lifting restrictions had begun following an order by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian to return internet access to conditions that existed before January 2026. Users once again have access to international websites, while fixed broadband services, including FTTH, VDSL and ADSL, as well as mobile internet services, are now available without restrictions.

Iran had imposed a near-total internet shutdown during protests on January 8 and 9, severely disrupting both domestic and international connectivity across the country. Nationwide protests erupted in late December and escalated in January following a sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial against the US dollar amid mounting economic pressure.

In the weeks that followed, internet services gradually began returning before restrictions intensified again after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28. During the conflict, domestic internet services and local platforms were restored, but access to the global internet largely remained dependent on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Major global platforms including YouTube and X remain blocked in Iran, with many users continuing to rely on VPNs.

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Iranian officials said 3,117 people were killed in the protests, while some human rights organizations estimated the death toll at up to 7,000.[]

Mi’raj News Agency (MINA)

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