What's blocked in Iran
International internet returned on 26 May 2026 after an 88-day blackout, but Instagram, X, YouTube, Telegram, Facebook and Signal remain blocked.
- WhatsApp: Slowed down
- Voice & video calls: Slowed down
- Telegram: Blocked
- Signal: Blocked
- Discord: Blocked
- Facebook: Blocked
- Instagram: Blocked
- X (Twitter): Blocked
- TikTok: Blocked
- YouTube: Blocked
- Google: Works
- Works
- Age-gated
- Partly blocked
- Slowed down
- Blocked
App by app
| App | Status | Since | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Telegram | Blocked | 2018 | |
| Signal | Blocked | ||
| Discord | Blocked | ||
| Messenger | Blocked | 2009 | Follows the Facebook block. |
| Blocked | 2009 | ||
| Blocked | 2022 | ||
| X (Twitter) | Blocked | 2009 | |
| TikTok | Blocked | ||
| YouTube | Blocked | 2012 | |
| Snapchat | Blocked | ||
| Blocked | |||
| Threads | Blocked | 2022 | Follows the Instagram block. |
| Slowed down | Officially unblocked December 2024, still slowed. | ||
| Voice & video calls | Slowed down | WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal and Telegram calls |
Not offered in Iran
These companies don't sell their service here. That's a business or sanctions decision, not government censorship.
Working normally
The 3 VPNs that fit Iran
Our assessment, plus what visitors in Iran are reporting this week.
Picked for heavy censorship: each can disguise VPN traffic.
ExpressVPN
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic) before connecting.
NordVPN
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to NordWhisper or obfuscated servers before connecting.
Surfshark
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to NoBorders mode before connecting.
Not sure about these three? See 3 more VPNs Proton VPN, Private Internet Access and CyberGhost
Proton VPN
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to the Stealth protocol before connecting.
Private Internet Access
UnreliableNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to the Shadowsocks proxy option before connecting.
CyberGhost
Doesn't connectNot enough votes yet. Tested it here? Tell others below.
Switch to a nearby server (CyberGhost has no stealth mode) before connecting.
We earn a commission if you buy a VPN through our links. It never changes what we report as blocked. How we pick and how we make money
What's going on
Iran cut almost all international connectivity on 8 January 2026 during protests and only largely restored it on 26 May 2026. Social media stayed blocked after the reopening. WhatsApp and Google Play were officially unblocked in December 2024 but are still throttled.
Before you connect: Expect frequent disconnections. Keep more than one protocol configured, and remember a VPN cannot restore a total shutdown.
Is a VPN legal in Iran?
Legal with restrictions
Only licensed VPNs are legal, yet unlicensed VPN use is near-universal. During full shutdowns no VPN can help because there is no international connection to tunnel through.
This is general information, not legal advice.
Questions people ask
Which apps are blocked in Iran?
Yes. Telegram, Signal, Discord, Messenger, Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), TikTok and 4 more are blocked in Iran. WhatsApp and Voice & video calls are deliberately slowed down.
Can I make WhatsApp calls in Iran?
Voice and video calls are slowed down in Iran. Text messaging is not affected in the same way.
Which streaming and online services are not available in Iran?
Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, JioHotstar, Spotify, ChatGPT and 1 more are not offered in Iran. That is the companies' decision, often because of licensing or sanctions.
Is it legal to use a VPN in Iran?
Legal with restrictions. Only licensed VPNs are legal, yet unlicensed VPN use is near-universal. During full shutdowns no VPN can help because there is no international connection to tunnel through.
Which VPN works in Iran?
Our picks for Iran are ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark. Connections are unreliable here, so switch on each one's anti-censorship mode: ExpressVPN (use automatic obfuscation (protocol set to Automatic)), NordVPN (use NordWhisper or obfuscated servers) and Surfshark (use NoBorders mode). Check the live votes on this page for this week's results.
Will a VPN work during an internet shutdown in Iran?
No. A VPN can get around blocks on specific apps and sites, but during a full shutdown there is no connection to the outside world for the VPN to use.
Report a block
Seeing something different in Iran? An editor reviews every report before the page changes.