Internet partially restored in Iran: UK-based watchdog

Internet service was partially restored in Iran on Saturday, after Tehran imposed a blackout during its war with Israel, London-based online watchdog NetBlocks said.

"Metrics show a partial restoration in internet connectivity in Iran after a ~62 hour government-imposed shutdown," NetBlocks posted on social media.

"However, service remains diminished in some areas and overall connectivity remains below ordinary levels," the internet watchdog added.


Iran on Thursday imposed a "nationwide internet shutdown" according to NetBlocks, resulting in the most extensive blackout since widespread anti-government protests in 2019.

On Saturday, access to the internet remained highly unstable and patchy in Tehran, with many websites still inaccessible, according to AFP journalists.

Israel launched strikes over a week ago against Iran, claiming its long-time rival was close to developing a nuclear weapon, which Iran denies.

The two arch-foes have since exchanged waves of deadly strikes, with the US mulling whether or not to enter the war.

In Iran, people fleeing Israel's attacks described frightening scenes and difficult living conditions, including food shortages and limited internet access.

Earlier on Saturday, NetBlocks said the internet shutdown had "severely limit(ed) the public's ability to express political viewpoints, communicate freely, and follow safety alerts."