• President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued a decision to restore internet access in Iran, according to state media, after a weeks-long shutdown tied to nationwide protests.
  • The restoration is being implemented in phases, with connectivity gradually returning to users and services, though full access remains uneven and many platforms are still blocked or heavily monitored.
  • The move aims to ease economic disruptions and address public pressure, but analysts caution that restrictions will likely persist during sensitive periods.

Iranian authorities have begun a phased restoration of internet services following a directive from President Masoud Pezeshkian, state media reported on Thursday. The shutdown, imposed during a wave of protests and a security crackdown, had disrupted communications, e-commerce, and financial transactions across the country. According to people familiar with the matter, the restoration will be gradual, with messaging apps and some websites being reintroduced first, but full normalization of access is not expected immediately.

“This is a controlled reopening, prioritizing security while trying to alleviate economic pain,” a government official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The blackout had drawn sharp criticism from businesses and international observers, with small enterprises particularly hard hit by the inability to process online payments or coordinate logistics.

Blackstone’s country chairman for Italy, Andrea Valeri, could not be reached for comment on the Iran developments. However, speaking at a separate event on private credit, he emphasized that regulatory stability is a key factor for institutional investors—a point that resonates in Iran, where internet governance remains a flashpoint for foreign investment.

Iran has a history of internet shutdowns during unrest, with previous episodes followed by partial restorations rather than a complete return to open access. Analysts expect this pattern to continue, with potential throttling of social media and encrypted services during future protests. The partial restoration is also seen as a signal to the international community, as Tehran seeks to ease tensions and revive economic ties.

"This is not a full reversal," said a technology policy analyst based in Tehran. “The infrastructure for filtering and monitoring remains in place, and the government retains the ability to pull the plug again quickly.”

Efforts to reach the Iranian mission to the United Nations for comment were unsuccessful.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the name of the president. It is Masoud Pezeshkian, not Hassan Rouhani. (April 10, 2025)