Iran's long-delayed internet has finally flickered back to life after 88 days of near-total blackout. At about 5pm on Tuesday, people began to receive long-delayed messages, images, and poems on their phones and social media feeds. However, the initial reaction was not celebratory, with many expressing anger, anxiety, and tears as they struggled to make sense of the limited connectivity.
According to reports, the Iranian authorities had been blocking internet access in response to widespread protests against the regime. The blackout had a significant impact on the country's economy and citizens' access to information.
The return of partial connectivity has been hailed as a small victory for Iran's civil society, but many are still concerned about the restrictions on free speech and access to information. The Iranian authorities have promised to gradually increase internet access, but the extent of this is still unclear.
As the situation develops, many are calling for greater international pressure on the Iranian regime to respect human rights and allow full internet access. The international community has expressed concern over the blackout and its impact on citizens' rights.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Iranian government has been using the blackout as a tool to suppress dissent and limit access to information. The organisation has called on the international community to take action to ensure that Iran respects its citizens' rights to freedom of expression and assembly.