Iranians are enduring the longest and most intense internet blackout in history, compounding an economic crisis that sparked nationwide protests in December.
Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian has issued an order to restore international internet access, Iranian state media reported on Monday, citing an official. Most Iranians have been unable to access the worldwide web for 87 days, according to the internet observatory NetBlocks. Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that a US-Iran deal to end the war could materialise “today”. Follow our liveblog for all the latest updates.
Other developments:
Iran would open Strait of Hormuz 30 days after peace deal
The U.S. and Iran are discussing a plan to open the Strait of Hormuz about 30 days after the two countries reach a deal to end hostilities, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Monday citing a Middle East diplomatic source.
Iran would proceed to clear mines from the strait during a 30-day window following an agreement, after which ships from all countries would be able to navigate freely and safely, and Iran would stop collecting transit fees, Nikkei said.
The ceasefire agreed in early April would be extended for 60 days, with the plan to hold talks on Iran’s nuclear program during the two-month pause, the report added.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused Hezbollah in a statement of trying to plunge Lebanon“back into chaos”.
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem again urged Lebanese authorities to abandon direct talks with Israel, ahead of a fourth round of such discussions in Washington early next month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he and US President Donald Trump agreed that any final agreement with Iran must include removal of the nuclear threat posed by Tehran.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP, Reuters and AP)
