In brief
Iran has begun to restore internet access after imposing a severe shutdown nearly three weeks ago. The government claims the move was necessary to combat 'terrorist operations' linked to protests. Reports indicate that while some users can connect sporadically, many still face significant restrictions and conditional access, leading to speculation about a new tiered control system. Internet monitors highlight inconsistencies, suggesting only select individuals may have full access. The costs of the shutdown are estimated to exceed $35 million daily, intensifying economic pressures on the regime.
Nearly three weeks into one of the most extreme internet shutdowns in history, some of Iran's 92 million citizens are beginning to get back online - but access appears to be tightly controlled.
The country cut off internet access on 8 January, in what is widely seen as an attempt to stem the flow of information about a government crackdown on protesters.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the internet was blocked in response to what he described as terrorist operations.
Now there is evidence that some internet access has returned - but independent analysis indicates much of the country is still effectively cut off from the outside world.
Iran's reformist Shargh newspaper has reported that some officials had claimed mobile internet had been restored. However, it said many users still do not have full access and can only connect intermittently and for very limited periods, often after repeated attempts.
Firms which monitor web traffic say there are signs of the internet being used inconsistently, raising questions about who is able to connect, and under what conditions.
What we're seeing isn't a return to normal, said Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at network intelligence firm Kentik. Major platforms are being allowed and blocked at different times during the day.
Independent internet monitoring group NetBlocks reported similar findings. madory said the pattern could instead indicate authorities are testing a new system to block web traffic, with changes being made in real-time.
Human rights organisations say this control over internet access has played a big role in limiting information about the crackdown on protesters. The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) confirmed the deaths of 5,925 protesters.
Intermittent connections
Internet rights observers say the unrest may have given the authorities an opportunity to accelerate long-planned efforts to tighten control over the internet - measures which would likely have faced far stronger resistance under normal circumstances.
According to sources cited by Shargh, internet access in Iran has effectively been divided into multiple levels - ranging from a complete shutdown to normal access - with current connectivity still far from a full restoration. Foreign messaging apps will remain restricted.
Some users have reported intermittent access to the outside world through services like Google Meet and FaceTime. But this may be due to the government's selective allowance of certain types of connectivity.
Financial cost
After nearly three weeks of internet disruption, Iran's Minister of Communications Sattar Hashemi said on 26 January the daily losses caused by the shutdown amount to nearly five trillion tomans ($35 million; £25 million). Authorities have introduced tightly controlled forms of internet access for some businesses under intense economic pressure.
In some cities, members of the Chamber of Commerce are granted just 20 to 30 minutes of unfiltered internet access per day. This is supervised and after multiple stages of identity verification, causing widespread dissatisfaction among traders.
Internet freedom observers warn the authorities are rapidly implementing new systems aimed at cutting Iran off from the international internet, and some analysts believe a full restoration of internet access may never occur.
