Organizations tracking online traffic observed an increase in activity as Iranians began reconnecting to the global internet following a government-enforced shutdown.

Iran initiated the restoration of internet access for millions on Tuesday, according to a senior official. This action lifted a blackout that began after military strikes by the United States and Israel on February 28. Iran’s Vice President, Mohammad Reza Aref, announced on social media that the first step towards free and regulated cyberspace access had been taken.

NetBlocks, an internet monitoring organization, indicated that data showed a “partial restoration of internet connectivity” in Iran after 88 days, marking it as “the longest nationwide internet shutdown in modern history.” Many Iranians used social media and direct messages to inform The New York Times about reconnecting after over 12 weeks of disconnection. The Iranian government cited national security concerns for the shutdown, while activists claimed it aimed to suppress communication and help maintain governmental control during the conflict.

Internet traffic in Iran on Tuesday included both fixed and mobile connections. Cybersecurity expert Amir Rashidi from Miaan, a digital rights group focusing on Iran, reported an uptick in traffic from the country. “Some providers have come back online, but it’s too early to determine subsequent developments,” Rashidi noted. He recalled another shutdown during mass protests in January, where connectivity restoration only brought traffic levels to 50% of previous norms.

The internet blackout further strained Iran’s economy, already troubled by the conflict. The tech sector faced severe setbacks, with companies having to shut down and lay off employees. Iranians who relied on online sales or advertising endured significant financial difficulties during the outage.