As anti-government protests continue, Iran is experiencing one of its longest nationwide internet shutdowns on record, with 92 million Iranians blocked from accessing the internet for over a week as of Thursday. The Iranian leadership initiated the shutdown of internet and phone access across the country last Thursday in response to ongoing protests that began late last year, which have been met with a severe crackdown by authorities.

According to Isik Mater, director of research at NetBlocks, a web monitoring company, Iranians have been unable to access the internet for more than 170 hours. NetBlocks tracks internet disruptions globally. Mater stated that this is the third longest shutdown on record, following Sudan in mid-2021 (approximately 35 days) and Mauritania in July 2024 (22 days). The previous longest shutdowns in Iran lasted around 163 hours in 2019 and 160 hours in 2025.

The current internet blackout impacts access to various online services and platforms, affecting communication, information dissemination, and business operations within Iran. The shutdown restricts access to social media platforms, news websites, and messaging apps, hindering the ability of protesters to organize and share information. It also disrupts the flow of information to the outside world regarding the situation on the ground.

"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 exact ranking of the shutdown depends on the specific metrics used for comparison.

Internet shutdowns are a tactic increasingly employed by governments globally to suppress dissent and control the flow of information during times of political unrest. These shutdowns can have significant economic and social consequences, impacting businesses, education, and healthcare services that rely on internet connectivity. The Iranian government has not yet announced when internet access will be restored. The ongoing protests and the government's response suggest that the shutdown may continue for an indefinite period.