Tehran Residents Relieved As Global Internet Access Restored

TEHRAN, May 28 (NNN-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- Tehran residents are rejoicing as access to the global internet has been restored after 87 days of complete blockage, though some do not share the enthusiasm over the network's return, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

Iranian authorities restricted access to foreign websites and messengers on national security grounds following the United States (US) and Israeli attack and a series of sabotage attempts against the country's leadership.

Access to the global internet was partially restored in Tehran on Tuesday.

"The internet remained blocked for nearly three months... Of course, everyone is glad that the authorities have restored access to the global internet," said local resident Mohsen Haghbin.

This will make life easier for the population, as they can now at least use foreign search engines and email without interruption, he said.

Others, however, view this with concern, believing that the activities of large Western corporations harm the state.

"It depends on what we want to do with the internet... If it harms the country, then no, because companies use metadata and artificial intelligence to collect data and use it against Iran," said Iranian student Sepahvand.

A "white list" system had been activated in Iran amid the conflict with the US and Israel.

The cost of circumventing blocks through special VPN servers reached US$100 for 20 gigabytes of traffic.

Iranian authorities decided to restore internet access on Monday but did not specify a timeline for completing the process.

The ISNA news agency reported on Tuesday that access to the global network, which had been absent for nearly three months due to the conflict with the US and Israel, would be restored within 24 hours.

-- NNN-BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI

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