Iran has begun restoring international internet access after months of severe restrictions that disrupted communications and limited access to global online services across the country.
The move follows an order by President Masoud Pezeshkian to ease the internet controls that had been imposed during a period of heightened tensions and security concerns. The restrictions affected millions of Iranians, slowing or blocking access to many foreign websites and platforms.
Although internet access has started returning in several areas, monitoring groups and users say connections remain unstable and heavily filtered. Some social media platforms and online services are still difficult to access, while speeds continue to vary across different parts of the country.
The prolonged restrictions had drawn criticism from businesses, digital rights groups and ordinary citizens, many of whom said the shutdown harmed economic activity and isolated people from information and communication services outside Iran.
Iranian authorities have defended the earlier restrictions as necessary for national security and stability. However, critics argue that the measures severely limited freedom of expression and access to independent information.
