Iran's Internet Partially Restored After 88-Day Blackout — Longest Nationwide Shutdown in Modern History; Social Media Remains Blocked — Day 88

Iran began rolling out partial internet restoration on May 26, 2026 (Day 88) — exactly the 88th day of both the conflict and the internet blackout ordered on February 28. President Pezeshkian had signed the internet restoration order on May 25 (Day 87); implementation began Day 88. The cumulative shutdown — approximately 2,093 hours — was described as the longest nationwide internet blackout in modern history, costing an estimated $30–40 million per day in economic losses. Basic internet connectivity returned in most major cities, but social media platforms including Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter/X, and Telegram remained blocked; many Iranians continued to rely on VPNs. CNN reported Iranians emerged online 'with skepticism and defiance' after nearly three months of information isolation. The internet restoration is significant not only as a humanitarian development but as a diplomatic signal — Iran's willingness to end the blackout suggests some confidence that the peace negotiation process is sufficiently advanced to risk reduced information control. The shutdown had severely limited independent verification of casualty figures, strike damage assessments, and protest activity throughout the 88-day conflict. UPI reported the restoration under the headline 'Iran's internet restored after 88-day blackout.'