Iran’s internet access has partially returned after nearly 90 days, the longest blackout in the country’s history. Yet authorities continue to throttle the available bandwidth, with Iranians reporting they are unable to upload or download videos and other content. Even this fragile connectivity could be cut at a moment’s notice, and people wonder when the next blackout will begin.

Washington’s response to the Islamic Republic’s digital repression is a game of cat and mouse, as efforts to restore connectivity are repeatedly overtaken by new restrictions. Without a durable solution, Tehran will continue to impose prolonged shutdowns while relying on technological support from Beijing to sustain its censorship apparatus. The answer lies in establishing an interagency task force that expands satellite internet and counter-jamming capabilities while sanctioning those responsible for Iran’s internet control infrastructure.