Iran Partially Restores Internet After 88-Day Shutdown as Fixed Broadband Returns
Updated
Updated · FRANCE 24 English · May 26
Iran Partially Restores Internet After 88-Day Shutdown as Fixed Broadband Returns
10 articles · Updated · FRANCE 24 English · May 26
Day 88 of Iran’s shutdown brought a partial return of international internet access, with NetBlocks detecting restoration while users reported home broadband working again but mobile data still largely cut.
Fixed-line users appeared to benefit first: IRNA and Fars said full international access was back on broadband, though monitors had not confirmed that and witnesses described service as patchy, with VPNs still needed for some platforms.
Pezeshkian’s administration had pushed to end a blackout that hurt the economy, but the judiciary suspended a new presidential cyberspace body after it ordered restoration, underscoring that final authority lies with the Supreme National Security Council.
The outage began on February 28 during war with Israel and the United States, after an earlier January blackout tied to anti-government protests; Kentik said traffic remains far below pre-January 8 levels.
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.