On 8 January, Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide internet shutdown following a government crackdown on protest activity, citing security concerns and the need to prevent the spread of misinformation during the unrest.b_2_/b The blackout affected both wired and wireless services, leaving citizens unable to access social media platforms, email, and international web domains; local mobile messaging apps reportedly continued to function in restricted pockets. After two weeks, the Ministry of Information and Communications Services announced a phased restoration, specifically reintroducing access in major urban centers while tightly limiting connections for certain online services and regions.b_3_/b Critics argue that the selective reopening remains a tool for state surveillance, as it allows the government to monitor data traffic and re‑restrictions to be re‑applied with little notice. Nevertheless, the recovery has enabled some economic activities to resume and eased at least part of the digital isolation imposed during the protest period.