Internet Restoration Begins in Iran After Lengthy Shutdown

Organizations tracking online traffic noted increased activity as Iranians began reconnecting to the global internet on Tuesday. This followed a substantial blackout imposed by the government during military conflicts with the United States and Israel.

A senior Iranian official announced on Tuesday that the country has started restoring internet access for millions. The blackout was initially enforced after military strikes on February 28. Mohammad Reza Aref, Iran’s first vice president, emphasized the government’s commitment to re-establishing regulated cyberspace access.

NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, reported a partial restoration of connectivity in Iran. This occurred after 88 days and marked the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history.

Iranians shared online that they could reconnect to the global internet after being disconnected for over 12 weeks. The government had cited national security reasons for the shutdown. However, activists argued that it aimed to control communication during wartime.

Cybersecurity expert Amir Rashidi observed increased internet traffic in Iran. He noted that some providers are back online but cautioned that it’s too soon to predict future connectivity levels. Rashidi referred to a previous shutdown in January, during widespread protests, where internet traffic only reached 50% of normal levels upon partial restoration.

The prolonged shutdown worsened Iran’s economy, already strained by conflict. The tech sector suffered significant losses, with many companies forced to close and lay off employees. Additionally, Iranians who relied on online sales faced significant income challenges.