After ‘longest nationwide shutdown in modern history’ the internet is reopening to Iranians, according to the vice president and observers.
Iran has begun restoring internet access after what observers described as the “longest nationwide shutdown in modern history,” marking a major development amid ongoing negotiations to end the conflict involving Iran, the United States, and Israel. Iranian Vice President and state media confirmed that connectivity is gradually returning, while internet-monitoring groups reported signs of renewed international access across parts of the country.
The blackout, which lasted nearly three months, severely disrupted daily life, businesses, banking systems, and communications for millions of Iranians. Authorities had defended the restrictions as a wartime security measure after the outbreak of fighting earlier this year, when U.S. and Israeli strikes targeted Iranian military and strategic sites. Analysts say the shutdown also limited the flow of information and hindered public dissent during a period of intense unrest and regional instability.
Despite the reopening, censorship remains firmly in place. While some international websites are slowly becoming reachable again, major social media and messaging platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp, continue to face restrictions, forcing many Iranians to rely on VPN services for access.
Questions also remain over the future of internet freedom in Iran. Analysts and digital rights experts remain uncertain whether authorities will fully restore open access or move toward a more tightly controlled two-tier system. Hardline factions linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps initially challenged the president’s authority to end the blackout, while some courts temporarily halted parts of the reopening process, deepening debate over the country’s digital future.
Meanwhile, diplomatic talks aimed at ending the conflict continue in Qatar and other regional venues. Discussions reportedly focus on sanctions relief, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, ceasefire guarantees, and Iran’s nuclear program. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations could take several more days, while Iranian officials acknowledged “substantial progress” toward a possible framework agreement.
