As in other contexts, Iranian students encountered challenges in the closedown of schools due to the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic. The present study investigated the attitudes of 108 high school EFL students, using an online questionnaire to find out whether students preferred either to receive distance e-learning or the traditional face-to-face methods of instruction at schools. To this end, the participants completed a 20-item questionnaire. Also, the study attempted to explore EFL students' perceptions of the use of distance learning using individual semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative data and the major emergent themes were discussed. The results revealed that most of the students were not ready to adopt the ongoing distance e-learning system. They complained that the pandemic had negatively impacted their learning and found the distance e-learning system ineffective. The results suggested the need for further studies on empowering the learners and teachers to improve the effectiveness of instruction in critical situations.