Iranian President Pezeshkian orders end to internet blackout
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian directed the Ministry of Communications to restore international internet access, effectively aiming to terminate a near-total nationwide blackout that has lasted 87 days, according to state media reports.
The order, communicated via the Ministry and reported by Tasnim and Fars news agencies, seeks to return connectivity to pre-January levels.
It remains unclear whether full implementation has begun, as independent monitoring has not yet detected significant improvements in network traffic.
The blackout originated on January 8 this year, amid widespread anti-government protests triggered by economic difficulties.
It intensified in late February following military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, reducing connectivity to approximately 1-2% of normal capacity for most citizens.
NetBlocks, an independent internet observatory, has described the disruption as the longest and most severe nationwide internet shutdown in modern history.
Only select elites and officials maintained fuller access during this period, while the majority of Iran's population of over 90 million faced severe limitations on global communication.
The prolonged restrictions have inflicted substantial economic damage, with estimates exceeding $1.8 billion in losses by mid-April.
Businesses dependent on digital services experienced widespread disruptions, contributing to layoffs and operational challenges amid an already strained economy.
President Pezeshkian earlier tasked First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref with forming a committee to address the issue, emphasizing governance sensitivities and alignment with the Supreme Leader’s views.
However, skepticism persists regarding the order’s effectiveness, given the Supreme National Security Council’s historical role in imposing such measures and resistance from powerful institutions like the IRGC.
Communications Minister officials have indicated that restoration efforts may take several days to complete. No immediate rebound was observed as of the latest reports.
