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Following airstrikes by Israel, Iran restricted access to the internet last week. That, however, hasn't stopped Iranians from finding ways to stay connected.
According to Top10VPN, VPN demand in Iran increased by 707% between June 13-16. Most users are turning to VPNs to bypass geo-restrictions and access global news, communication platforms, and uncensored digital content amid escalating tensions, the report adds.
It's become common for some governments to restrict internet access in times of crises to limit the spread of misinformation or squash uprisings. In Iran's case, it's reportedly being done to combat cyberattacks from Israel as well. The surge in Iran's VPN usage, however, is in defiance of a 2024 ban on the use of VPNs in Iran without a permit.
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Per Google Trends, there's also a significant spike in searches for "free VPN" in the country. Some of the best free VPNs recommended by our experts include ProtonVPN, PrivadoVPN, and TunnelBear VPN. I personally use ProtonVPN, and it works smoothly.
Note that Iran censors VPNs as well. So, some popular VPN services may not work there, and you may need to try multiple options. Even if a VPN unlocks apps, people in Iran should be wary of what they post online. The country's prosecutor general has threatened legal action against content that "disrupts society's psychological security."
Iran experiences internet blackouts quite frequently. Per a Tom's Guide report earlier this year, which cites a survey by Iran's Parliamentary Research Centre, almost 80% of internet users in the country use VPNs.