Iran considers ‘gradually’ restoring internet after shutdown

The news of Iran considering a ‘gradual’ restoration of internet services following a widespread shutdown, as reported on January 18, 2026, offers a critical lens into the complex interplay of state control, digital rights, and international relations. This event is not an isolated incident but rather a recurring feature of Iran’s domestic policy, particularly in times of internal unrest or significant political events. Understanding this situation requires delving into its background, identifying key stakeholders, and comprehending its broader implications, especially for a nation like India.

**Background Context: A History of Digital Control**

Iran has a well-documented history of restricting internet access and censoring online content. This practice is often employed as a tool by the government to manage public discourse, suppress dissent, and prevent the coordination of protests. Past major internet blackouts include the November 2019 fuel price protests, where a near-total internet shutdown lasted for days, severely limiting citizens' ability to communicate internally and with the outside world. Similarly, during the widespread protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022, internet access, particularly mobile internet, was frequently disrupted. These shutdowns are typically justified by authorities on grounds of national security, public order, or combating foreign interference, but human rights organizations widely condemn them as violations of freedom of expression and access to information. The January 2026 shutdown, therefore, fits a familiar pattern of state-imposed digital control.

**What Happened: A Strategic Disruption and Partial Return**

The report indicates a widespread internet shutdown, affecting the vast majority of internet providers and mobile internet services across Iran by January 18, 2026. This suggests a deliberate, nationwide effort to cut off digital communication channels. The detail that AFP was able to connect to the internet from its Tehran office is significant. It highlights the often-selective nature of these shutdowns, where certain entities, state-affiliated organizations, or international agencies might retain limited access, possibly for operational or diplomatic reasons. The consideration of a 'gradual' restoration further indicates a controlled, strategic approach by the Iranian authorities to ease restrictions while maintaining oversight and preventing a sudden resurgence of online activity that could challenge their narrative or facilitate renewed mobilization.

**Key Stakeholders and Their Interests**

At the core of this issue are several key stakeholders. The **Iranian Government** (including the Supreme National Security Council, Ministry of Information and Communications Technology) is the primary actor, seeking to maintain political stability, control information flow, and project state authority. For **Iranian citizens**, internet access is crucial for communication, education, business, and accessing uncensored news. Shutdowns severely impact their daily lives, livelihoods, and fundamental rights. **International human rights organizations** (e.g., Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch) and **global internet freedom advocates** condemn such actions as breaches of international human rights law. **Tech companies** providing internet services, both within Iran and globally, find themselves in a challenging position, often forced to comply with government directives while facing international pressure to uphold digital rights. **International governments**, including India, observe these events closely due to their implications for regional stability, trade, and human rights.

**Why This Matters for India: A Geopolitical and Digital Rights Lens**

For India, the situation in Iran carries multiple layers of significance. Geopolitically, Iran is a crucial partner, particularly concerning the development of the Chabahar Port, which provides India with a strategic gateway to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan. Instability or severe human rights issues in Iran could impact these strategic projects and India's energy security (though oil imports have varied). Economically, Indian businesses and the diaspora in Iran rely on stable communication channels. More broadly, this event resonates with India's own challenges concerning internet governance and digital rights. India has experienced numerous internet shutdowns, particularly in regions like Jammu and Kashmir, often justified on similar grounds of public order and national security. This makes the Iranian situation a stark reminder of the global debate around balancing national security with fundamental rights in the digital age.

**Constitutional and Legal Parallels (Indian Context)**

While this event is international, its implications touch upon constitutional principles familiar to India. The Indian Supreme Court, in the landmark judgment of **Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India (2020)**, declared that the freedom of speech and expression (**Article 19(1)(a)**) and the freedom to practice any profession or carry on any occupation, trade or business (**Article 19(1)(g)**) through the medium of the internet are constitutionally protected fundamental rights. The Court ruled that any order restricting internet access must satisfy the tests of necessity and proportionality, be temporary, and subject to judicial review. Furthermore, such orders must be passed under specific legal provisions, such as the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. This judicial stance provides a strong contrast to the seemingly arbitrary and widespread shutdowns observed in Iran, highlighting India's evolving jurisprudence on digital rights and the importance of a robust legal framework to safeguard these freedoms.

**Broader Themes and Future Implications**

The Iranian internet shutdown highlights the growing trend of digital authoritarianism, where states leverage technology to exert control over their populations. It contributes to the global debate on internet fragmentation, where countries increasingly build national digital borders. For Iran, repeated shutdowns risk stifling its digital economy, hindering innovation, and further isolating its population. Internationally, such actions draw condemnation and can strain diplomatic relations. The future implications include a continued struggle between state control and citizens' demands for digital freedom, the development of more sophisticated tools for both censorship and circumvention, and a heightened focus on international norms for internet governance and human rights in the digital sphere. The gradual restoration implies that the Iranian government is attempting to regain some normalcy while still asserting its authority over the digital landscape, setting a precedent for how governments might manage dissent in the future through controlled digital access.