ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iranian authorities have signaled they may lift some internet restrictions after the country was placed under a 44-day digital blackout, the longest in the Middle East since the tumultuous days of the Arab Spring.
“There is a possibility of lifting restrictions on some international internet services in the coming hours,” said Citna, an Iranian media platform that mainly publishes news about information technology and digital economy. The agency added that the hint comes from “decisions made by relevant authorities.” The report, which has circulated in mainstream Iranian media outlets, has not been officially confirmed.
This comes following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire on Wednesday between Washington and Tehran. Iran imposed a nationwide blackout on February 28, curbing access to the global internet when Israel and the US began an extensive air campaign against Tehran, striking thousands of targets across the country during the six-week war.
The Iranian state shifted internet traffic to the National Information Network, an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-backed domestic infrastructure that hosts local content and services while restricting access to the global internet.
Internet restrictions have continued for 44 days since the outbreak of the war, according to NetBlocks, an internet observatory that tracks international cybersecurity and digital governance. The longest shutdown ever recorded was in Egypt during the Arab Spring in January 2011, which was for five days.
During the blackout, some Iranians gained access to Starlink, a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX. Starlink devices require a small satellite dish and a router, allowing users to connect without relying on fiber or mobile networks. This makes the service harder for governments to block or censor.
But Iranian authorities have criminalized its use, making it punishable by prison time. At least 30 individuals have been detained for “security-related activities” linked to the “enemy,” a reference to the US and Israel.
Iran has arrested and detained thousands of people during the war for recording US-Israeli airstrikes, accusing them of espionage and collaboration with the hostile foreign powers, a charge that can carry the death penalty.
Iran has a long history of restricting internet access. Recent examples include the January protests, in which at least 6,000 protesters were killed, and last summer’s 12-day war with Israel.