As Iran's severe internet blackout nears the three-week mark, a limited number of the country's 92 million residents are regaining online access, albeit with strict restrictions in place.

The internet was severed on January 8, a move broadly perceived as a government attempt to curb the dissemination of information regarding its suppression of protests.

According to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, the internet shutdown was a response to alleged "terrorist operations", as stated by the minister himself.

Recent findings suggest that internet access is being reinstated in some areas, but separate assessments reveal that a significant portion of the country remains disconnected from the global network.

Reports from the Iranian reformist publication, Shargh newspaper, indicate that certain officials have announced the restoration of mobile internet services, although the extent of this restoration is unclear.

Despite some progress, many users continue to face significant restrictions, with intermittent and fleeting connections often requiring multiple attempts to establish.

Observations by companies that track online activity suggest that internet usage is uneven, prompting concerns about the extent of access and the criteria governing connectivity.

According to Doug Madory, director of internet analysis at Kentik, a network intelligence firm, the current situation does not indicate a full restoration of services.

The availability of major online platforms appears to be subject to fluctuation, with some being accessible at certain times of the day while being blocked at others.

NetBlocks, an independent organization that monitors internet connectivity, has also documented similar patterns and constraints.

According to Madory, the observed pattern may suggest that authorities are experimenting with a new web traffic blocking system, with adjustments being implemented on the fly.

Amir Rashidi, director of cyber security at the Miaan Group, notes that this development implies a restricted group of individuals, pre-approved by the government, may be the only ones with internet access.

Human rights organisations argue that the government's control over internet access has significantly contributed to the limited information available about the government's response to protests.

As of 26 January, the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported that it had verified 5,925 protester deaths, cautioning that the actual toll could be substantially higher, with an additional 17,091 reported fatalities currently under review.

Observers of internet rights believe that the current unrest may have provided authorities with an opportunity to expedite plans to increase internet control, a move that would have likely faced significant opposition under more ordinary circumstances.

Reports from Shargh indicate that internet access in Iran is currently being managed through a tiered system, with varying levels of connectivity available, although a complete restoration of services has yet to be achieved.

As noted by the newspaper, restrictions on foreign messaging apps like WhatsApp are expected to remain in place, while domestic alternatives are available, albeit with concerns surrounding their security and privacy protocols.

In a recent development, some individuals have reported intermittent access to international online services, utilizing platforms such as Google Meet, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, and FaceTime to establish contact with family members abroad.

Rashidi suggests that the selective granting of internet access may inadvertently enable the temporary functioning of tools like virtual private networks (VPNs), which can provide brief windows of unrestricted online access.

Virtual private networks (VPNs) are technologies that enable secure online connections, allowing users to access location-restricted content by bypassing geographical limitations.

According to Rashidi, as long as data transmission is possible, individuals can find methods to utilize Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).

Rashidi noted that current evidence indicates the authorities are committed to restricting VPN usage and maintaining control over internet connections.

On 26 January, Iran's Minister of Communications, Sattar Hashemi, stated that the daily economic losses resulting from the internet disruption have reached approximately five trillion tomans, equivalent to $35m or £25m, after nearly three weeks of interrupted service.

In an effort to alleviate economic pressure, the authorities have begun to provide restricted internet access to certain businesses, a move that analysts believe may be part of a broader strategy to implement more targeted connectivity management.

In interviews with the BBC, business leaders revealed that in some cities, Chamber of Commerce members are allocated limited, unfiltered internet access, ranging from 20 to 30 minutes per day.

According to their claims, access is only granted under close supervision, following a multi-step identity verification process.

A Tehran Chamber of Commerce member, speaking anonymously, described the access as being "closely controlled and subject to strict time limits".

The source noted that failing to complete work within the designated timeframe would necessitate restarting the entire verification process from the beginning.

The same individual reported that certain businesspeople were also compelled to sign agreements pledging not to transmit files related to the protests.

The system was characterized as "highly restrictive and demeaning", given the large number of individuals affected, and was said to have sparked widespread discontent among the trading community.

According to FilterWatch, a group monitoring internet freedom, the Iranian government has been swiftly implementing new measures and regulations to isolate the country from the global internet.

An analysis of web traffic patterns by Madory indicates that a complete reinstatement of internet access in Iran is unlikely to happen.

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