Iranians emerge online with skepticism and defiance after months of blackout Iranians cautiously reconnected to the internet on Tuesday after an 88-day nationwide blackout, but the partial restoration of access sparked mixed reactions of skepticism, frustration, and quiet defiance. The partial return of online connectivity, ordered by President Masoud Pezeshkian, marked the end of what NetBlocks called the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history. However, many users still required virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass active filtering systems, and some expressed disappointment that the government’s efforts to restore access remained limited. The blackout, which began in late December 2025, followed mass anti-government protests driven by economic collapse, hyperinflation, and a deepening crisis of public trust. As demonstrations expanded into broader calls for political change, Tehran intensified internet restrictions, culminating in a near-total disconnection by late February 2026. The shutdown coincided with U.S. and Israeli military strikes, which further destabilized the country’s already fragile situation. Despite the partial restoration, internet filtering systems—known as the “filternet”—remained active, with some platforms like WhatsApp still blocked. Users described the situation as a “ruse” or a “spectacle,” with one Iranian woman criticizing the regime for “bringing back the filternet” and comparing the government’s approach to that of South Korea and Japan, which she claimed did not “lecture their people” about internet access. Another resident noted that the delayed restoration highlighted the government’s tight control over connectivity, with many Iranians relying on smuggled Starlink terminals or costly VPNs to bypass restrictions.#iran #masoud_pezeshkian #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #netblocks #supreme_council_for_cyberspace
