As anti-government protests continue, Iran is experiencing one of its longest nationwide internet shutdowns on record, impacting an estimated 92 million people. The Iranian leadership initiated the widespread internet and phone access restrictions last Thursday in response to ongoing demonstrations that began late last year.
According to Isik Mater, director of research at NetBlocks, a web monitoring company, Iranians have been unable to access the internet for over 170 hours as of this writing. This surpasses previous shutdowns of approximately 163 hours in 2019 and 160 hours in 2025. NetBlocks tracks internet disruptions globally, providing data on the frequency, duration, and impact of such events.
Mater stated that this current disruption ranks as the third longest globally, following Sudan's 35-day shutdown in mid-2021 and Mauritania's 22-day outage in July 2024. "Iran’s shutdowns remain among the most comprehensive and tightly enforced nationwide blackouts we’ve observed, particularly in terms of population affected," Mater told TechCrunch. The precise ranking is subject to ongoing data analysis.
The shutdowns have severely impacted communication, access to information, and business operations within Iran. The restrictions affect both mobile and fixed-line internet services, limiting the ability of citizens to organize, share information about the protests, and connect with the outside world. The government has justified the measures as necessary to maintain order and prevent the spread of misinformation.
The internet infrastructure in Iran relies on a combination of domestic and international providers. The Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), a state-owned entity, plays a central role in managing the country's network. The government's control over TCI allows it to implement widespread shutdowns effectively. While some Iranians attempt to circumvent the restrictions using VPNs and proxy servers, these methods are often unreliable due to government monitoring and blocking efforts.
The ongoing internet shutdown raises concerns about freedom of expression and access to information in Iran. International human rights organizations have condemned the restrictions, calling on the Iranian government to restore internet access and respect the rights of its citizens. The economic impact of the shutdown is also significant, disrupting businesses and hindering online transactions. The situation remains fluid, and the duration of the internet restrictions is uncertain.
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