In a significant development, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has issued a directive to the Ministry of Communications, mandating the restoration of international internet access. This move signals a potential end to a prolonged and near-total nationwide internet blackout that has been in effect for 87 days. The decision comes as Iran’s leadership reportedly feels a renewed sense of trust, a factor that appears to have influenced the timing of this critical infrastructure change.
The extended internet shutdown, implemented in mid-November 2022, was largely attributed to widespread protests that gripped the country following the death of Mahsa Amini. The authorities had cited security concerns and the need to control the flow of information as the primary reasons for the severe restrictions, which significantly hampered both domestic and international communication. This blackout had a profound impact on the daily lives of ordinary Iranians, affecting everything from personal communication and access to information to business operations and the digital economy. International organizations and human rights advocates had repeatedly called for the lifting of these restrictions, highlighting the negative consequences for freedom of expression and access to information.
The restoration of international internet access is a crucial step, as the previous shutdown had effectively isolated Iran from the global digital landscape. This isolation had made it difficult for citizens to connect with the outside world, access international news, or participate in online global communities. For businesses, the lack of reliable international internet connectivity posed significant challenges, hindering trade, investment, and collaboration.
The mention of “trust” as a factor in the leadership’s decision is particularly noteworthy. While the specifics of this trust are not elaborated upon in the provided information, it suggests a potential shift in the internal political calculus or an assessment of the current socio-political climate. The lifting of such a stringent measure typically involves a careful evaluation of risks and benefits by the ruling establishment. It could indicate that the authorities believe the period of intense unrest has subsided to a manageable level, or that alternative methods of control and information management have been deemed sufficient.
The Ministry of Communications will now be tasked with the technical implementation of restoring these services. The process of reconnecting to the global internet infrastructure is complex and may involve various stages. It remains to be seen how quickly and effectively these services will be fully restored across the country and what measures, if any, will be put in place to monitor or regulate online activity going forward. The international community will be closely observing the situation to gauge the implications of this policy shift on human rights and the political landscape within Iran.
The duration of the blackout, 87 days, underscores the severity of the measures taken and the significant effort required to reverse them. This period also saw a rise in the use of VPNs and other circumvention tools by Iranians attempting to bypass the restrictions, though these tools themselves often faced disruptions and limitations. The successful restoration of official international internet access could alleviate some of the reliance on these workarounds.
This development marks a potentially turning point in Iran’s digital policy and its engagement with the global community. The full implications of restoring international internet access, particularly in conjunction with the stated factor of renewed leadership trust, will unfold in the coming weeks and months. The impact on freedom of expression, economic activities, and the overall flow of information within and out of Iran is expected to be substantial.
Source: RKM
RKM: JUST IN🇮🇷🇺🇸🛜 Iranian President has ordered the Ministry of Communications to restore international internet access, effectively aiming to terminate a near-total nationwide blackout that has lasted 87 days. 🚨Iran’s leadership Is restoring Internet services after trust the. #breaking
— @rkmtimes May 1, 2026
SHOP AMAZON BEST SELLERS, CLICK TO BUY FROM AMAZON.
SHOP AMAZON BEST SELLERS, CLICK TO BUY FROM AMAZON.
