Iranians emerge online with skepticism and defiance after months of blackout

Key Points:

• Iran has partially restored internet access after 88 days of a near-total nationwide blackout imposed amid mass anti-government protests, marking the longest internet shutdown in modern history, according to monitoring group NetBlocks.
• Despite the partial restoration, many Iranians still rely on VPNs to access the internet, and restrictions such as the "filternet" filtering system and WhatsApp bans remain in place.
• Public reaction in Iran is mixed, with some expressing skepticism and frustration over limited access, while others use the moment as a symbolic act of resilience by posting selfies on social media for the first time in months.
• The Iranian government tightly controls internet access through centralized institutions accountable to the supreme leader, resulting in unequal access where only a minority can connect freely while most face restrictions.
• The partial restoration followed orders from Iranian officials amid ongoing political tensions, but it remains uncertain how much connectivity will be allowed or if the blackout will be fully lifted.