TEHRAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Mohammad Seraj, member of the Iranian parliament's social commission, announced Sunday that access to the global Internet would be fully restored across the country on Monday or at the latest by Tuesday, according to the Khabar Foori news website.
Based on an announcement by the government, social media platforms would also soon be unblocked, Seraj said.
Iran restored access to Google's search engine on Sunday, following a 10-day nationwide blackout, a day after short message service (SMS) resumed.
Iran imposed severe restrictions on access to the global Internet and suspended SMS on Jan. 8, citing riots and terrorist attacks targeting civilians, security forces and public buildings.
On Monday, local media cited Iran's top cyberspace authority as saying that Internet access would remain restricted until officials confirm the restoration of full security.
Protests erupted since late December in several Iranian cities over the sharp depreciation of the rial. Authorities have acknowledged the demonstrations and said they are prepared to address economic grievances, while warning against violence, vandalism, and unrest.
Initially held peacefully, the protests gradually became violent, leading to casualties and damage to public property, mosques, government buildings, and banks, especially on Jan. 8 and 9, for which Iranian authorities have blamed the United States and Israel. ■
