Iranian media reported that a resolution to restore international internet access has been officially communicated for implementation.
Iranian domestic media reported that a resolution by the Steering and Organization Headquarters for Cyberspace to restore internet access to its pre-January status was communicated by Iranian regime president Masoud Pezeshkian to the Ministry of Communications for implementation.
CITNA, a news website focused on information technology, wrote on the evening of Monday, May 25: “The resolution of the Steering and Organization Headquarters for Cyberspace to restore the internet to its pre-January status was communicated minutes ago by the president to the Ministry of Communications for implementation.”
Hours before publishing this report, the outlet quoted an informed source as saying that the Steering and Organization Headquarters for Cyberspace, chaired by Mohammad Reza Aref, the first vice president of the regime, held a meeting and approved restoring internet access to its status before January 2026.
Details of the decision, the timing of its implementation, and whether it will include the full restoration of international internet access or merely reduce some restrictions have not yet been announced.
Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Iranian regime, also quoted an informed source as saying that restoring international internet connectivity was approved with nine votes in favor and three against and is now awaiting final approval by the head of the government.
IRGC-affiliated media oppose the return of profiteers behind “Internet Pro”
Mohammad Sarafraz, a member of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, said on Saturday, May 23, that equipment related to the permanent shutdown of the internet had been purchased from China and imported into Iran.
He added that operators affiliated with the Supreme Council of Cyberspace are involved behind the scenes in approving the “Internet Pro” plan and that beneficiaries of internet shutdowns are active in the market for VPN sales and special internet services.
Ali Yazdikhah, deputy chairman of the Majlis Cultural Commission, had said on May 21 that higher authorities had concluded that reopening the internet is not in everyone’s interest.
He added that people do not have major problems with internet shutdowns and that access had been granted to groups deemed to need international internet access.
The approval of this resolution comes as people in Iran have faced at least 109 days of internet outages or severe restrictions since the beginning of 2026.
Restrictions on international internet access in recent months have become one of the most significant pressures on citizens and digital businesses, and reports have emerged regarding discussions of scenarios for the gradual restoration of internet access.
These developments have coincided with reports about the inactivity of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace.
Ezzatollah Zarghami, a member of the Iranian regime’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace, said in an interview with the Shargh newspaper on May 19 that decisions related to internet shutdowns had not been made by the council and that the body had not held a meeting for nearly one year.
This coincidence has intensified speculation that decision-making authority over internet and cyberspace issues has been transferred to newly established institutions — an area that in recent months has become one of Iran’s most sensitive security, economic, and social issues.
