Iran restores internet after 88-day blackout

Iran has begun restoring internet access after an 88-day nationwide shutdown. The long blackout had cut the country

Iran has begun restoring internet access after an 88-day nationwide shutdown. The long blackout had cut the country off from much of the global internet. Millions of users were affected.

President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the reopening of international internet services. State media confirmed the decision. It followed months of restrictions linked to security concerns and political unrest.

The shutdown began on January 8. It was imposed during anti-government protests. Authorities said the move was necessary for security control. Internet access was later partially restored in February.

A second full blackout was imposed on February 28. This came during heightened tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. The restrictions were tightened again across the country.

Now, services are slowly returning. Social media platforms are becoming accessible again. Messaging apps are also coming back online in phases. Users have started reconnecting after a long isolation period.

Many Iranians expressed relief. One student said he was happy to see Telegram notifications again. Social media posts reflected excitement across the country.

Officials say the decision is aimed at improving communication. They also say it will support economic recovery. The Communications Ministry said connectivity is important for public life and business activity.

However, the restoration is not complete. Access remains unstable in many provinces. Some services are still blocked or limited. WhatsApp and other apps reportedly still require VPN use.

Internet monitoring groups say the recovery may take time. They warn that full restoration could take days or even weeks. They also note that restrictions have not fully ended.

Businesses have been heavily affected by the shutdown. Many small traders depend on social media platforms for income. These businesses reported major financial losses during the blackout.

Some entrepreneurs said they had to restart from zero. They lost customers, contacts, and revenue during the outage. The economic impact is still being felt.

Experts say it was one of the longest internet shutdowns in recent history. They say it shows the scale of digital control during crises.

Despite the partial return of services, uncertainty remains. Many Iranians are still cautious. They are unsure whether internet freedom will be fully restored or temporarily eased again.