Iranian users regained access to Instagram and WhatsApp without using circumvention tools for the first time in two years, Shargh newspaper reported on Wednesday.
The change comes after both platforms had been blocked due to government restrictions for the past two years.
According to the newspaper, Instagram’s unblocking is temporary and resulted from changes in internet protocols, while WhatsApp access has been fully restored, and the messaging service has returned to normal operation.
Shargh also reported, citing sources, that Telegram filtering may be lifted next week - a move that could signal a temporary retreat by the Islamic Republic from its extensive filtering policies after years of blocking the platform.
The newspaper added that internet services would return to normal by Wednesday evening, following a week of widespread disruptions to online services and social media access during military tensions between Iran and Israel.
The restoration of access comes as Iran accepted a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Israel after 12 days of military confrontation, which included U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and Iranian missile attacks on a U.S. base in Qatar.
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