Daijiworld Media Network - Tehran

Tehran, May 26: Masoud Pezeshkian has ordered the restoration of international internet access in Iran after a nearly 90-day blackout imposed following the conflict involving the United States and Israel, Iranian state media reported on Monday.

The report quoted the head of public relations at Iran’s Communications Ministry, though officials did not immediately clarify how or when full connectivity to the global internet would resume.

According to internet observatory NetBlocks, most Iranians have been unable to access the worldwide web for 87 days, with only a limited number of citizens managing to connect through costly and advanced virtual private networks (VPNs) designed to bypass restrictions.

Authorities initially enforced an internet blackout on January 8 following nationwide anti-government protests. While internet services partially resumed in February, a fresh shutdown was imposed after the beginning of US and Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28.

Even during normal periods, internet access in Iran remains heavily restricted through censorship of numerous websites and online platforms.

Iranian authorities have increasingly promoted the use of a domestic intranet system to provide online services independently of the global web. The system is widely used for essential services, including online education programmes currently being followed by schools across the country.