Iran shuts down agency that restored internet access after months of blackout

Iran's judiciary has suspended the operations of a presidential agency that ordered the restoration of internet access following months of near-total disruption. The shutdown signals an ongoing power struggle between Iran's executive and judicial branches over internet censorship policy.

Iran's judiciary suspended the activities of a presidential-level agency on Tuesday after it had issued orders to restore internet connectivity in the country following an extended period of near-total disconnection.

The move has drawn attention to deepening tensions within Iran's governing institutions over control of internet access — a tool authorities have repeatedly used to suppress public dissent and limit the flow of information during periods of unrest.

The agency in question operates under the authority of the Iranian president and had taken steps to reverse the extensive internet blackout that had left citizens cut off from digital services for months. The judiciary's decision to halt the agency's work effectively reasserts hardline control over the country's digital infrastructure.

Iran has a long history of imposing internet shutdowns during protests and civil disturbances. Rights groups and international observers have consistently condemned these blackouts as violations of freedom of expression and access to information, arguing they also impede emergency communication and economic activity.

The latest development suggests that despite some steps toward restoring access, Iran's judicial authorities remain committed to maintaining tight oversight over the country's online environment, and are willing to clash with other branches of government to enforce that position.