Iranians began to regain internet access on Wednesday after authorities ended a months-long shutdown, one of the world’s longest and strictest national shutdowns, imposed after the United States' and Israel attack on Iran on 28 February led the nation to war.
Their decision to lift some restrictions this week came as negotiators appeared to be closing in on a more permanent truce as representatives from the US and Iran engaged to finalise a potential deal. But many Iranians fear access could be cut off again – at a moment’s notice.
On Wednesday many users said service was slow and spotty in some areas, with apps like YouTube and Instagram heavily restricted, as they were before the cutoff began during nationwide protests in January.
Amir Rashidi, an Iranian cybersecurity analyst, said there were still widespread disruptions. “It’s too early to say the shutdown is over,” he wrote on X.
An unprecedented shutdown
