What is blocked in Iran in 2026?
Iran operates one of the world's most extensive internet censorship systems. The National Information Network (NIN) and the filtering committee block access to thousands of websites and services. As of 2026, the following are blocked or severely restricted:
- Social media: Instagram, Twitter/X, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, Telegram (partially), Signal
- Search and information: Google (intermittently), Wikipedia (partially)
- Streaming: YouTube, Netflix, Spotify
- News and journalism: BBC Persian, VOA, most international news
- VPN protocols: Most commercial VPNs using OpenVPN, WireGuard, or L2TP
Iran also enforces periodic "internet shutdowns" during protests or sensitive political events, cutting off access entirely to international traffic.
Why most VPNs fail in Iran
Standard VPN protocols are easily detected and blocked by Iran's Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) infrastructure. Iran has invested heavily in filtering technology, and most popular commercial VPNs are blocked within days or weeks of launching.
The core problem is protocol fingerprinting: DPI systems can identify the unique traffic patterns of OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and even Shadowsocks. Once identified, the connection is dropped, the IP is blacklisted, and the VPN stops working.
Why Shadowsocks isn't enough anymore
Shadowsocks was designed specifically to evade censorship in China, and it worked well for years. But Iran (like China) has updated its DPI to detect Shadowsocks traffic patterns. In 2026, plain Shadowsocks connections are frequently blocked in both countries.
Reality protocol: Why it works where others fail
NexTunnel uses Reality protocol — built on Xray-core's VLESS implementation — which is specifically engineered to be undetectable by modern DPI systems.
TLS camouflage with real domains
Reality makes your VPN traffic look exactly like a legitimate HTTPS connection to a real, trusted website. Instead of creating a fake TLS certificate, Reality borrows the TLS fingerprint and SNI of major CDN or tech company domains. To Iran's DPI system, your connection looks like a standard browser visiting microsoft.com or cloudflare.com.
No detectable VPN signature
Unlike any previous protocol, Reality produces zero traffic signatures that match known VPN patterns. The packet size distribution, timing, and handshake sequence are all consistent with normal HTTPS browsing.
Resistance to active probing
Some censorship systems use "active probing" — they send test packets to suspected VPN servers. Reality's authentication system responds to probes exactly as a real HTTPS server would, revealing nothing.
NexTunnel vs other VPNs for Iran — Protocol comparison
- Reality (NexTunnel): Undetectable by DPI, works reliably in Iran and Russia ✓
- Shadowsocks: Increasingly blocked by Iran's DPI in 2026 ✗
- OpenVPN: Easily detected and blocked ✗
- WireGuard: Very distinctive traffic signature, blocked ✗
Why a free VPN for Iran is risky
Many people search for a "vpn iran free" solution. Free VPNs are dangerous in Iran: they often sell user data, lack infrastructure to keep up with Iran's evolving DPI, and some have been found to be operated by the Iranian government itself.
How to set up NexTunnel VPN in Iran
Step 1: Sign up
Visit nextunnel.com. A 7-day free trial is available with no credit card required.
Step 2: Download AKOR for Android
The AKOR app is NexTunnel's official Android client, preconfigured to use Reality protocol. Download the APK directly from your dashboard — no app store required.
Step 3: Install the browser proxy
For desktop users, install the NexTunnel Chrome or Firefox extension. It routes all browser traffic through the Reality proxy without requiring a system-wide VPN app.
Step 4: Connect and verify
Activate the connection, then visit instagram.com or twitter.com. Your traffic is tunneled through NexTunnel's Reality servers, completely invisible to Iran's censorship infrastructure.
Conclusion: The best VPN for Iran in 2026
The best VPN for Iran in 2026 must use a protocol that is genuinely undetectable. NexTunnel's Reality protocol, built on battle-tested Xray-core technology, provides exactly that. With servers optimized for Iran connectivity, a zero-log policy, cryptocurrency payment support, and a free trial, NexTunnel is the most reliable solution for bypassing internet censorship in Iran today.