Iran Restores Partial Internet After 88-Day Nationwide Shutdown

On 26 May 2026, Iranian authorities announced a partial restoration of internet service after an 88-day nationwide shutdown. President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the step, ending the block while leaving many platforms filtered and VPNs required for full access.

CNN

The blackout began after the United States and Israel launched a war on Iran on 28 February 2026, prompting officials to cite national-security concerns. Earlier, December 2025 restrictions and a January 2026 crackdown on anti-government protests had already limited connectivity, leading to the total shutdown that lasted until Day 88.

CNN

NetBlocks measured connectivity at 86 % of pre-shutdown levels; Kentik reported traffic at 40 % of normal. Economic loss estimates range from $30-40 million to $80 million per day. About 10 million rely on internet jobs, and data-plan prices fell from $7.50/GB to $2.25 for 30 GB.

UsNews and World Report

President Masoud Pezeshkian called it “the first step toward a free and regulated internet,” and Vice-President Mohammad Reza Aref called it a “first step” to restore smart services for citizens who “stood by the system.” NetBlocks said the “filternet” – filtering of messaging apps and app stores – remains active. Supreme Council for Cyberspace oversees rollout.

BBC News

Skepticism was voiced. A 46-year-old man in Tehran said, “Yes, I’m connected, but I still have to use a VPN… the internet isn’t fully open.” Iranian woman on X accused regime of “bringing back the ‘filternet’” and making a “huge spectacle.”

CNN

One interviewee likened the experience to “a prisoner being released after three months of imprisonment and seeing the sky for the first time.” Hamid, a 29-year-old tech worker, said he felt “happy, but also kind of stupid” about regaining simple connectivity.

New York Times

Sources differ on daily economic losses, citing $30-40 million versus $80 million per day. NetBlocks and local users report varying degrees of filtering, and it remains unclear how uniformly the restoration applies to SIM-card versus broadband connections. The extent of unrestricted access for government-issued SIM cards is undocumented.

CNN

• “After 88 days, it felt exactly like a prisoner being released after three months of imprisonment and seeing the sky for the first time.” — Iranian citizen

BBC News

• “I have mixed feelings. I am happy, but at the same time, I feel kind of stupid that I am happy about such a simple thing,” — Hamid, tech worker

New York Times

• “Yes, I’m connected, but I still have to use a VPN. Don’t get too excited though — the internet isn’t fully open, it’s just no longer completely shut down,” — 46-year-old man, Tehran

CNN

• “to bring back the ‘filternet’ and they’re making such a huge spectacle out of it.” — Iranian woman, X

CNN

International monitors expect further easing as diplomatic talks move toward a truce. NetBlocks will keep tracking filtering, while Iranians are likely to expand VPN use to broaden access.

CNN