Swapna Kumbar , Bengaluru - Iran has moved toward restoring global internet access after nearly three months of severe restrictions that left millions disconnected from the outside world. According to Iranian state linked media, President Masoud Pezeshkian issued a formal order directing authorities to reopen international internet access following an 87 day blackout linked to nationwide protests and the subsequent conflict involving the United States and Israel.

Officials from Iran’s Communications Ministry confirmed that the presidential decree had been communicated to relevant authorities, though the exact timeline and mechanism for restoring full connectivity remain unclear. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported that most Iranians had effectively been cut off from the global web during the blackout, with only a limited number of users able to bypass restrictions through expensive advanced VPN services. Authorities initially imposed internet shutdowns in January during anti government protests before tightening restrictions again after military escalation involving US and Israeli strikes beginning on February 28. Even before the latest blackout, Iran maintained strict online censorship and relied heavily on a controlled domestic intranet system for key services including education and government operations. Analysts say the prolonged shutdown severely affected businesses, communication systems, and public access to information during the regional conflict. Reports also suggest internal disagreements remain within Iran’s power structure regarding how much internet access should be restored and whether security agencies fully support the reopening order.

The decision to restore internet access marks a significant development in Iran’s post conflict environment, though uncertainty remains over how open and unrestricted connectivity will actually become. As authorities begin implementing the order, millions of Iranians are waiting to see whether access to the global internet truly returns to pre blackout levels.