Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Iran Starts Limited, Tiered Internet Access for Vetted Users

Economic damage is driving a narrow reopening for vetted companies.

Overview

  • The near blackout entering its 47th day Wednesday marks one of the longest nationwide shutdowns since the Arab Spring, according to NetBlocks.
  • State-backed carriers are selling “pro internet” packages to approved companies after identity checks, allowing some connections to foreign sites that most people still cannot reach.
  • NetBlocks reports only a very modest rise in traffic and points to new systems for tiered access that signal a prolonged, tightly controlled setup.
  • Business leaders say the shutdown costs $30–40 million a day, with indirect losses up to $80 million, which is pressuring officials to ease rules for commerce.
  • Authorities have moved against sellers of Starlink satellite terminals, limiting one of the few workarounds that let some users reach the open internet.