After long months of an almost total disconnection from the global network, the internet in Iran has reopened—and dramatic footage from the war against the United States and Israel is beginning to stream onto social networks one after another. Many web users described the videos as “crazy” and “insane,” after a long period during which almost no authentic footage emerged from inside the country.
2+The block in Iran was considered one of the harshest and longest internet shutdowns in modern history. It began on January 8, 2026, against the backdrop of a widespread wave of protests against the Iranian regime, which attempted to prevent footage of the violent suppression and the events in the streets. Later, with the outbreak of the military conflict against the US and Israel at the end of February, the restrictions were tightened even further.
2+According to reports and international monitoring organizations, approximately 90 million citizens in Iran were cut off almost completely from the world for about 88 days—a period that included severe damage to the economy, communications, education, and the healthcare system. During the block, many citizens attempted to bypass the restrictions using VPN services, but these too were repeatedly blocked by the authorities.
2+At the end of May, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the reopening of access to the international internet, and web traffic in the country gradually began to recover. Since then, social networks have been filling up with new footage of the bombings, the damage in the streets, and the chaos that ensued during the months of fighting and protests.