Iranians Regain Internet Access After Prolonged Shutdown Amid Ongoing Restrictions

CAIRO (AP) — After a prolonged shutdown, Iranians began to regain internet access on Wednesday, although users reported that the service remained slow and intermittent in several regions. Popular applications such as YouTube and Instagram continue to face heavy restrictions, reflecting conditions prior to the shutdown that began amid nationwide protests in January.

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The Iranian authorities had initially justified the internet outage as a military necessity following attacks by the United States and Israel on February 28. The recent easing of some restrictions coincides with ongoing negotiations that may lead to a more stable truce, but many Iranians remain concerned about the potential for renewed access cuts.

Current Connectivity Status

Internet tracking firm Netblocks reported that Iran’s connectivity has reached approximately 86% of its pre-shutdown capacity. Meanwhile, Kentik, a firm specializing in internet analysis, noted that internet traffic is currently around 40% of previous levels, indicating a significant reduction in usage.

Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity analyst, expressed skepticism about the return to normalcy, stating, “It’s too early to say the shutdown is over,” in a post on X.

Impact of the Shutdown

With a population of roughly 90 million, Iran has experienced one of the world’s longest and most severe internet shutdowns throughout 2026. This disruption has severely affected young people with online careers, leading to substantial job losses and the closure of numerous online businesses, exacerbating the economic toll of ongoing conflicts.

The internet cutoff hindered communication for Iranian families during months of unrest. In some instances, phone lines were also disrupted, although they were restored later.

A woman in Tehran recounted her struggles to communicate with her sons abroad during the outage, expressing disbelief that authorities had restored access, as she had anticipated a continued justification for the shutdown.

A taxi driver noted that while service had been restored, it was still weak, expressing hope for improvements to reconnect with family and friends. Both individuals chose to remain anonymous due to security concerns.

During the shutdown, data prices soared, with residents in Tehran occasionally paying around $7.50 per gigabyte. Currently, prices have reverted to approximately $2.25 for 30 gigabytes, similar to pre-protest levels.

Access to popular social media platforms remains tightly controlled, prompting many users to resort to virtual private networks (VPNs). However, the costs of these workarounds increased significantly during the shutdown, making them unaffordable for many amid a struggling economy.

Resurgence of Online Activities

As internet access resumes, businesses are beginning to reestablish their online presence, announcing their return through platforms such as Instagram and Telegram.

A gamer and tech influencer from Isfahan reported significant losses in his audience on YouTube and Instagram due to the shutdown, stating, “All my views and interactions are way down. I’ve been erased from the algorithm.” He communicated this in a voice message via WhatsApp, noting that his internet connection remains slower than before the outage.

He further remarked, “The situation is such that many content producers have had their income reduced to zero, have moved on to other jobs, or have been forced to sell their equipment to survive,” emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by content creators.

Government Justification for the Shutdown

The Iranian government initially imposed the internet shutdown during mass anti-government protests in January, which were met with violent crackdowns resulting in thousands of deaths and detentions.

The internet blackout intensified following the onset of conflict, after U.S. and Israeli strikes killed prominent Iranian leaders. The government has faced widespread criticism for the lengthy shutdown, which further damaged an economy already suffering from inflation, strikes on critical industries, and a U.S. blockade on Iranian ports.

Estimates suggest the internet cutoff resulted in daily losses of $30 to $40 million, with indirect losses potentially doubling that figure, according to Afshin Kolahi, a member of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce. Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi stated that around 10 million jobs depend on internet connectivity.

While Iranians had access to a limited national net, users reported poor service and significant censorship. Senior officials received SIM cards that allowed them access to the global internet, and under pressure, the government expanded this access to certain professions during the shutdown.

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