Iran Partially Restores Internet After 88-Day Blackout as Most Networks Still Down
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 26
Iran Partially Restores Internet After 88-Day Blackout as Most Networks Still Down
7 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 26
Internet traffic in Iran began returning around 13:00 GMT, monitors said, after an almost three-month nationwide blackout that officials said was being lifted.
Mohammad Reza Aref called it a first step toward “free and regulated” online access, but Netblocks and Kentik said the recovery was only partial and most networks remained offline.
The government cut connectivity after US and Israeli attacks on 28 February, saying the shutdown was needed to block surveillance, espionage and cyber-attacks.
The outage ranks among the longest national internet shutdowns ever recorded, and monitors said it was still unclear whether the restoration would hold or take hours to spread.
With Iran's 88-day internet blackout over, is its 'Great Firewall' just beginning?
As Iran restores its internet, will access become a luxury only the rich can afford?
Iran’s 1,896-Hour Internet Blackout: Economic Devastation, Digital Isolation, and the Future of Civil Society
Overview
As of May 26, 2026, Iran has faced 80 consecutive days of severe internet restrictions, deeply affecting daily life and the economy. These ongoing disruptions have made it extremely difficult for civilians to access vital information, especially during recent conflicts, and have severely hurt businesses that depend on stable internet. Most Iranians are blocked from international websites and social media, creating a major barrier to global communication. To get around these controls, many people now rely on costly VPN services, resulting in a tiered internet experience where only those who can afford these tools have better access.