'Am I Dreaming?' Iranians Celebrate Partial Internet Restoration After 88-Day Shutdown
'Am I Dreaming?' Iranians Celebrate Partial Internet Restoration After 88-Day Shutdown Published By, Last Updated: May 26, 2026, 21:58 IST For nearly three months, millions
'Am I Dreaming?' Iranians Celebrate Partial Internet Restoration After 88-Day Shutdown Published By, Last Updated: May 26, 2026, 21:58 IST For nearly three months, millions of Iranians were largely restricted to domestic websites and services hosted on the country’s internal intranet. People walk past shops along Valiasr Square in Tehran on May 26. (AFP photo) Iranians on Tuesday welcomed the partial return of internet access after an 88-day nationwide shutdown imposed following the outbreak of war with Israel and the United States in late February. The restoration, though limited and uneven, marked the first major easing of restrictions since authorities cut much of the country off from the global internet at the start of the conflict on February 28. For nearly three months, millions of Iranians were largely restricted to domestic websites and services hosted on the country’s internal intranet. Internet monitor NetBlocks said live data showed a “partial restoration" of connectivity on day 88 of the blackout, which it called as the “longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history".
“Confirmed: Live metrics show a partial restoration to internet connectivity in Iran on day 88, after 2093 hours of near-total isolation from international networks," NetBlocks wrote on X, while cautioning that it remained unclear whether the reopening would be permanent. 📈 Confirmed: Live metrics show a partial restoration to internet connectivity in #Iran on day 88, after 2093 hours of near-total isolation from international networks, the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history. It is unclear if the restoration will be sustained. pic.twitter.com/Fi3z3UCMWp— NetBlocks (@netblocks) May 26, 2026 ‘YouTube Without A VPN!’ As access slowly returned, many Iranians took to social media to express relief and excitement. “YouTube without a VPN!!! Oh my God, am I dreaming?" one user wrote on X. “Hello my dear Twitter," another posted, welcoming the return of access to international platforms. Witnesses inside Iran told AFP that home internet services had started working again in some areas, although mobile internet remained largely unavailable. Users also said VPNs were still needed to access several blocked social media platforms.
“A few minutes ago I could open international websites using my home internet provider," a 22-year-old woman from the western city of Kermanshah told AFP. Another user in Tehran said internet service had returned at his company, though mobile connections were still cut off. Iran first imposed sweeping internet restrictions during anti-government protests in early January. The shutdown was tightened again on February 28, when the war with the United States and Israel began. Political tensions remain The partial restoration comes amid growing debate inside Iran over the prolonged shutdown and its economic impact. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref said the “first step toward free and regulated access to cyberspace" had been taken. However, the situation remains politically sensitive. Earlier today, Iran’s judiciary suspended a presidential cyberspace body created by President Masoud Pezeshkian after it reportedly ordered the restoration of internet access. Meanwhile, Yaghoub Rezazadeh, member of Iran’s national security commission at the parliament, told an Iranian daily that the final decision on such issues “rests with the Supreme Security Council" under hardliner Mohammad Bagher Zolghadr.
Internet analyst Doug Madory of Kentik warned that the country still had “a long way to go" before traffic levels returned to normal. “Iran has a long way to go to get back to pre-Jan-8 levels of traffic volumes," he wrote on X. (With inputs from AFP) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Location: Iran First Published: May 26, 2026, 21:49 IST News world 'Am I Dreaming?' Iranians Celebrate Partial Internet Restoration After 88-Day Shutdown Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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