Iranian authorities have said they are considering a “gradual” restoration of internet access in the country after a sweeping communications blackout has gripped the nation for over a week, local media reported.
On Sunday, AFP reported that they experienced internet connectivity that was limited, from its office in Tehran, although most mobile and broadband services are still down. The reason for the partial connection is not known.
Outgoing International calls have been possible since Tuesday and text messaging was restored on Saturday. The Tasnim news agency said authorities are planning to bring back the internet by stages and turn on local messaging apps on Iran’s domestic internet network, but gave no details about the plan.
During the blackout, Iranians have used the intranet, which has used to access the local media websites, ride-hailing services and delivery platforms, and banking applications.
State television has promoted messaging apps such as Rubika, that were largely inaccessible earlier in the week.
Popular platforms including Instagram, Facebook, X, Telegram and YouTube, have also been blocked in Iran for years and people need to use VPNs to avoid these restrictions.
The shutdown followed widespread anti-government protests that started on December 28 and due to economic grievances.
Observers have called these demonstrations the biggest threat to the Iranian leadership since the 2022 protests over the death of Mahsa Amini.
While the protests have subsided in the past few days, the human toll is disputable.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) has verified 3,428 deaths at the hands of security forces but says the real number could be much higher.
Other estimates are in excess of 5,000 to as high as 20,000, while the opposition channel Iran International quotes on at least 12,000 dead.
Iranian authorities have refuted these numbers and have labelled the unrest as riots stirred up by foreign influence, namely the United States and Israel.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei cited a figure of a few thousand dead that were killed by what he called “agents” belonging to these countries, pointing to encouraging violence from abroad.
Also read: Back from Iran, Pakistani students say they heard gunshots on campus
