As Iran faces severe internet blackout conditions, citizens are managing to establish sporadic connections, highlighting their resilience and the ongoing struggle for free communication in the country.
Iranians Reconnect with the World Amid Internet Blackout
Iranians Reconnect with the World Amid Internet Blackout
After four days of silence, Iranians find fleeting internet access amid ongoing government restrictions.
June 21, 2025, 4:32 p.m. ET
After enduring nearly complete internet silence for four days, segments of Iran's populace slowly regained intermittent access to online networks late Friday, albeit with significant limitations. Many individuals were able to reconnect by using different servers or through sheer luck, though they remained cautious about the government’s ongoing surveillance and restrictions.
Arta, a young Iranian who fled Tehran earlier in the week, expressed the prevailing sense of disconnection: “It feels like we’re in a dark cave.” He shared that messages sent via social media platforms such as Instagram were limited and unreliable, reflecting the broader challenges faced by those trying to communicate during the blackout. He, along with others who spoke to a New York Times reporter, insisted on anonymity for safety due to government monitoring.
Virtual private networks (VPNs), commonly used by Iranians to bypass governmental censorship, faced disruptions as the situation escalated with recent conflicts. As internet connections began to stabilize, VPN providers urged users to exercise caution. In a message on their Telegram channel, one organizer admonished users to refrain from disseminating their server links to avoid overwhelming the system, thereby risking further disconnections.
These developments underscore the ongoing battle for connectivity among Iranians, as they navigate a landscape fraught with both technological barriers and state-imposed constraints.
After enduring nearly complete internet silence for four days, segments of Iran's populace slowly regained intermittent access to online networks late Friday, albeit with significant limitations. Many individuals were able to reconnect by using different servers or through sheer luck, though they remained cautious about the government’s ongoing surveillance and restrictions.
Arta, a young Iranian who fled Tehran earlier in the week, expressed the prevailing sense of disconnection: “It feels like we’re in a dark cave.” He shared that messages sent via social media platforms such as Instagram were limited and unreliable, reflecting the broader challenges faced by those trying to communicate during the blackout. He, along with others who spoke to a New York Times reporter, insisted on anonymity for safety due to government monitoring.
Virtual private networks (VPNs), commonly used by Iranians to bypass governmental censorship, faced disruptions as the situation escalated with recent conflicts. As internet connections began to stabilize, VPN providers urged users to exercise caution. In a message on their Telegram channel, one organizer admonished users to refrain from disseminating their server links to avoid overwhelming the system, thereby risking further disconnections.
These developments underscore the ongoing battle for connectivity among Iranians, as they navigate a landscape fraught with both technological barriers and state-imposed constraints.
