Authorities in Iran have partially restored the ability for mobile phones to make calls abroad, even as a near-total internet blackout continues in the wake of widespread protests.
Partial Restoration of Communications
The limited restoration of international calling services occurred on Tuesday, 13 January 2026. This move came after a severe crackdown on nationwide demonstrations, during which the Iranian government severed both internet access and international telephone lines. The initial shutdown was implemented on Thursday as protests intensified across the country.
Evidence of Limited Connectivity
Individuals in the capital, Tehran, were able to place calls to The Associated Press news agency, confirming the partial return of service. However, the situation remains highly irregular and controlled. When the AP bureau in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, attempted to call back the numbers in Iran, they were unsuccessful, indicating that the restoration is not two-way or complete.
Multiple witnesses inside Iran have reported that access to the global internet remains almost entirely severed. This suggests the government is maintaining a tight grip on digital information flow, allowing only specific, monitored channels like outbound calls to function.
Context of the Shutdown
The communications blackout is a direct response to a wave of civil unrest. By cutting off the internet and calls, the Iranian regime aims to stifle the organisation of protests, prevent the sharing of images and videos from the ground, and limit contact with the outside world. The decision to allow some international calls may be a tactical relaxation, possibly to ease international pressure or for essential business, while the more pervasive internet blockade stays in force to control the narrative and suppress dissent internally.
The death toll from the protests, as reported by Iran's state-linked Fars News Agency, remains a point of significant contention, with external groups often citing far higher figures than official sources.
