Iran President Orders End to 87-Day Internet Blackout

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian ordered the restoration of the country’s internet service, ending an 87‑day shutdown that began with the outbreak of war three months ago. The prolonged blackout had severely disrupted daily life for Iranians and hampered international communications.

As the head of the Iranian government and the nation’s second‑highest official, the president occupies a pivotal position within the political system. Under the Iranian constitution, the president must execute his duties in accordance with directives from the Supreme Leader, who holds the highest political and religious authority. Although the president is formally the head of state, in practice he must remain aligned with the Supreme Leader. The office of the president was created after the 1979 Iranian Revolution, with the first presidential election held in 1980. As the second‑ranking figure in the executive branch, the president oversees routine administrative affairs and is accountable to the Supreme Leader.

Presidential powers include appointing ministers, subject to approval by the parliament and the Supreme Leader. The president may issue orders, dispatch and receive foreign ambassadors, and sign legislation and referendum results passed by the parliament and judiciary. He also directs the nation’s foreign policy and represents Iran in diplomatic engagements. The Supreme Leader retains significant influence over the president and the government and can at any time dismiss or reassign any minister or vice‑president.

The termination of Iran’s internet blockade carries considerable significance for both the Iranian populace and the international community. The shutdown inflicted substantial economic and social damage and curtailed Iranians’ freedom of expression and access to information. Restoring connectivity is expected to improve Iran’s international image and its relations with other countries.

For Taiwan, the Iranian internet shutdown and the functioning of Iran’s political system provide valuable insight into regional dynamics and broader international developments. The episode underscores the critical role of the internet in modern societies and highlights how governmental control and monitoring of online networks affect citizens’ lives and cross‑border communication. Moreover, Iran’s political structure and the role of the Supreme Leader present a governance model that differs markedly from Taiwan’s, offering a subject worthy of observation and study.