Lead

After 88 days of near-total internet blackout, Iranians began to see connectivity flicker back to life on Tuesday evening. But the return was not met with universal celebration. Instead, posts on social media were threaded with skepticism, anxiety, and anger, as Reuters and other outlets reported.

"I lit a cigarette, played SoundCloud and listened to our favourite music," said Ellie*, a 42-year-old artist from Tehran, who was able to connect for the first time since late February. "Ali [her husband] and I held back tears, then cried and convinced ourselves that this was a small taste of a much greater freedom after the fall of this regime... and we truly believe it."

Yet for others, the partial restoration was a bitter reminder of what had been taken away. "It's been truly absurd watching western media celebrate partial restoration as if it's an achievement to applaud the regime for," said Maryam*, a photographer in Tehran. "The internet is our basic right."

Coverage Comparison

The story has been covered by international outlets including France 24 and The Guardian, each offering distinct angles. France 24's reporting focused on the practical difficulties Iranians still face in accessing the global internet, highlighting the role of VPNs, satellite internet, and the economic consequences of the blackout. The Guardian's coverage emphasized the emotional and psychological toll on Iranians, capturing mixed reactions of skepticism, anxiety, and anger.

Both outlets agree on the timeline: the blackout began in early January following nationwide anti-government protests, with connections partially restored in February before a new outage began after US and Israeli strikes against Iran in late February. The partial restoration on Tuesday was confirmed by NetBlocks, a digital monitoring organization, which reported connectivity at approximately 60 percent.

Key Claims

  • Duration and cause of the blackout: According to multiple sources, Iran's internet blackout lasted 88 days, imposed by authorities in response to anti-government protests.
  • Economic impact: The blackout has had severe economic consequences, including job losses and income disruption. France 24 reported that more than a million jobs have been lost since the start of the war, and more than two million people have lost their sources of income. The network outage has been estimated to cost approximately $80 million per day, though this figure has not been independently verified.
  • Access methods: Some Iranians managed to get online during the blackout through costly VPNs and satellite internet, as reported by both France 24 and The Guardian. Homegrown messaging apps like Bale Messenger and Rubika were also used.
  • Role of the Supreme National Security Council: The council plays a role in deciding internet access, according to multiple sources.
  • Mixed reactions: The partial restoration was met with mixed reactions, with some expressing relief and others anger. This is based on reporting from The Guardian and France 24, though the full range of reactions may not be fully captured.

Perspectives

From the perspective of Iranian citizens, the restoration is a double-edged sword. For some, it is a moment of emotional release and a glimmer of hope. For others, it is an insult — a partial return to normalcy that fails to address the underlying restrictions and economic hardships.

International observers, including NetBlocks, have celebrated the restoration as a positive step, while acknowledging that restrictions remain. Western media coverage has been criticized by some Iranians for being too celebratory, overlooking the ongoing struggle for basic rights.

The Iranian government has not issued a public statement explaining the restoration, but authorities have historically justified internet restrictions as necessary for national security. The full implications of the partial restoration remain unclear, and it is uncertain whether connectivity will stabilize or be withdrawn again.