Iran to gradually lift internet, communication restrictions

ISTANBUL

Iran will gradually lift internet and communication restrictions imposed following violence during protests that began over economic hardship late last month, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Saturday.

Citing security officials, the news agency said the decision comes after "security issues were brought under control" and key figures of "terror organizations" were detained by security forces.

Officials claimed that "limiting internet access significantly weakened the internal connections of opposition networks abroad" and preventing the operations of "terror cells."

According to the plan to restore services based on security conditions, text messaging services (SMS) have been reactivated as the first step, with full access to the national internet network and domestic apps to follow in the second phase before international internet access is restored in the third stage.

Local sources confirmed that access to domestic messaging applications such as Eita and Bale has been restored after days of disruption.

The restrictions were implemented after protests over economic hardships turned violent on Jan. 8.

Officials said the government is “fully aware of its human rights obligations” toward its citizens and has taken “all necessary measures to exercise maximum restraint” while also fulfilling its “duty to protect its people and maintain public order and national security.”

Separately, internet monitor NetBlocks said metrics showed a slight rise in internet connectivity in Iran on Saturday morning. However, overall connectivity remains at 2% of ordinary levels and there is no indication of a significant return, it said on US social media company X.

While Iranian officials have not released any official casualty figures, a US-based human rights monitor said the death climbed to 3,090.

The Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said another 2,055 people have also been injured and 22,123 individuals detained across the country since the unrest began.