Story perspectives

Iran Restores Fixed-Line Internet After 88-Day Shutdown

5/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered Iran’s internet to be reconnected, but the Administrative Court of Justice instantly suspended the order.
On May 26 2026 Iran partially restored connectivity after an 88-day shutdown, with fixed-line broadband returning while mobile stayed offline, so users relied on VPNs.
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the move is the first step toward a free, regulated cyberspace after January-February shutdowns amid protests and the Iran-US-Israel conflict.

History

Historical Context

On 27 January 2011 the Egyptian government shut down all internet traffic to curb protests that forced President Hosni Mubarak to resign, a blackout that cost the OECD about $90 million and lasted until 2 February. Decades later, Iran’s 88-day outage ended with a partial restoration in May 2026, showing how authoritarian regimes repeatedly use digital cuts to suppress dissent.

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Story summary

President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered Iran’s internet to be reconnected, but the Administrative Court of Justice instantly suspended the order.
On May 26 2026 Iran partially restored connectivity after an 88-day shutdown, with fixed-line broadband returning while mobile stayed offline, so users relied on VPNs.
Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the move is the first step toward a free, regulated cyberspace after January-February shutdowns amid protests and the Iran-US-Israel conflict.

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