Iranian president orders restoration of internet to pre-protest levels

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday ordered the restoration of internet access to levels existing before nationwide protests erupted in January, according to Mehr News Agency, marking a significant reversal of communication restrictions imposed during months of deadly unrest.

Economic turmoil triggers unrest

Nationwide demonstrations swept Iran in late December and intensified the following month as the rial plummeted against the US dollar amid severe economic pressure. Authorities responded by imposing broad internet restrictions and temporary nationwide shutdowns aimed at curbing communications and limiting the spread of protest-related content.

Casualty disputes and foreign accusations

Iranian officials acknowledged that 3,117 people were killed during the protests, though some human rights organizations have estimated the death toll at up to 7,000. Tehran has accused Washington and Tel Aviv of seeking to exploit the unrest through sanctions and economic pressure to incite instability and justify foreign interference aimed at regime change.

Restoration directive

The directive to restore connectivity comes as the Islamic Republic seeks to stabilize domestic conditions while maintaining its narrative that external actors fueled the violence. Internet services had been severely throttled since early January, disrupting both social media platforms and economic activity across the country.