Iran’s international internet access largely restored but remains degraded and unstable

What happened

Iran International reports that international internet access in Iran has largely returned following significant disruptions during the recent war period, but the network remains degraded, unstable, and considerably worse than before the conflict. Users and experts describe pervasive issues such as slow speeds, intermittent outages, and persistent obstacles accessing foreign websites and services.

Experts cited by Iran International say the disruptions appear systematic, targeting core internet protocols including UDP and TCP, which underpin VPNs, video calls, websites, and other essential online functions. Though many state-imposed filters on international traffic were lifted, a substantial portion of DNS-based restrictions remain active, continuing to hamper email delivery, cloud services, and notifications.

Iranian users have expressed frustration on social media, noting the internet is only partially restored and still heavily constrained. Some have turned to alternatives like Starlink satellite terminals or foreign SIM cards, while others contemplate emigration due to persistent connectivity issues. A non-representative online survey cited reports nearly half of respondents experience slow and malfunctioning internet despite restored access.

Known from the source

• International internet access in Iran largely returned after being disrupted during the war period.
• Users and experts report the network remains degraded, unstable, and significantly worse than before the conflict.
• There are ongoing issues with slow speeds, intermittent outages, and difficulty accessing foreign websites and services.
• Disruptions appear systematic, targeting core internet protocols like UDP and TCP.
• A substantial portion of DNS-based filters introduced during the shutdown remain active.

What remains unclear

Digital businesses continue struggling to recover, with reports that ongoing internet disruptions interfere with critical services, search engine visibility, and trust due to SSL certificate renewal failures triggering security warnings. These issues raise concerns about the long-term impact on Iran’s digital economy and public access to information.

What remains unclear: Technical details and extent of systematic targeting of UDP and TCP protocols. Current status and official acknowledgment of DNS-based filters and restrictions. Reliability and representativeness of the cited online survey data. Impact assessment on specific digital businesses and verification of reported SSL certificate renewal issues.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Iran International. Open the source.