Full Breakdown
Iran’s Judiciary Halts Presidential Cyber Body After Internet Restoration Order
5/26/2026, 10:31:02 PM
Judicial Suspension of the Special Headquarters for Organising and Governing the Country’s Cyberspace
On 26 May 2024, Iran’s judiciary suspended the Special Headquarters for Organising and Governing the Country’s Cyberspace, a presidential body created on 12 May. The body had approved a May 25 decision to restore internet access after an 87-day blackout.
Background & Context
The blackout followed Iran’s entry into a war with the United States and Israel, after earlier curbs during January anti-government protests. A full shutdown began on 28 Feb, and NetBlocks called it “the longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country.”
Timeline
Jan 2024 – protests trigger initial curbs; Feb 28 2024 – nationwide shutdown; May 12 2024 – presidential cyber body formed; May 25 2024 – body votes to restore internet; May 26 2024 – judiciary suspends the body.
Data & Impact
The 87-day shutdown, the longest recorded nationwide, forced 80 % of users onto VPNs and spurred a tiered “Pro Internet” service for paying professionals. Businesses, freelancers and tech firms suffered severe losses, while the timing aligns with U.S.–Iran ceasefire talks, highlighting a power contest between the presidency and security establishments.
Official Statements & Responses
President Masoud Pezeshkian issued the May 25 decree to restore internet service. Spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the Special Headquarters had decided to lift internet restrictions. The judiciary’s Mizan Online cited a “filing of complaints” as the basis for suspension and reiterated that the Supreme National Security Council, not the presidency, holds final authority over nationwide internet policy.
Criticism & Opposition
IRGC-linked media and officials publicly challenged the president’s jurisdiction, arguing that only the Supreme National Security Council can legally lift the shutdown imposed under security directives. Their statements underscore an intra-government dispute over cyberspace control during wartime.
On-the-Ground Reports
The national intranet (National Information Network) remains fully operational, supporting banking and government services. Roughly 80 % of users still rely on VPNs, many now using costly custom stealth tools to evade detection.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The judiciary did not disclose who filed the “filing of complaints” that triggered the suspension, leaving the source unidentified. No official timetable for full restoration has been announced, and the constitutional hierarchy between the presidency and the Supreme National Security Council remains unresolved.
Verbatim Quotes
- “restore the internet” — Fatemeh Mohajerani, Government Spokeswoman
- “filing of complaints” — Mizan Online, Judiciary website
- “the longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country” — NetBlocks, Internet monitor
- “Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said the Special Headquarters for Organising and Governing the Country's Cyberspace approved a decision to "restore the internet" across Iran.” — Fatemeh Mohajerani, Government Spokeswoman
What’s Next
The suspension coincides with ongoing U.S.–Iran ceasefire negotiations. Analysts expect the Supreme National Security Council to decide on a full internet reopening, while the judiciary may issue further rulings, leaving the restoration timeline uncertain.
