Iran Lifts 88-Day Internet Blackout, Longest on Record Globally

Iran has restored internet access to its population after an 88-day blackout that international digital rights groups have described as the longest state-imposed internet shutdown in recorded global history. Citizens across the country took to social media platforms to mark their reconnection, with the phrase 'greetings after 88 days' circulating widely as Iranians reached out to family, friends, and the outside world.

The shutdown, which began in late February 2026, coincided with a period of acute internal political and military tension, including the extended conflict with Israel and significant domestic unrest. Authorities had imposed near-total connectivity restrictions, severing Iranians from international news, communication platforms, and financial services.

Digital rights organisations including NetBlocks and Access Now had tracked the blackout in real time, documenting its impact on journalism, commerce, healthcare communication, and civil society. The 88-day duration eclipses the previous benchmark set during Sudan's military-era blackouts, establishing an unprecedented global precedent.

The restoration of internet access does not necessarily signal a broader political liberalisation. Analysts caution that Iran's filtering infrastructure remains intact and that selective throttling and platform blocks are likely to resume. The immediate significance lies in the symbolic reconnection of millions of Iranians to the global digital commons after nearly three months of enforced isolation.