Iran Faces One of teh Longest internet Blackouts Amid Nationwide Protests
More than 92 million Iranians have been disconnected from the internet for over a week, marking one of the most extensive and prolonged digital blackouts in recent history. This shutdown began last Thursday as a government response to escalating anti-regime protests that started late last year.
Unprecedented duration and Impact of the Internet Shutdown
The Iranian population has now endured upwards of 170 hours without stable internet access,exceeding previous national outages such as those in 2019 (around 163 hours) and early 2025 (approximately 160 hours). Analysts tracking global connectivity disruptions rank this blackout as the third longest worldwide.
Onyl two other countries have experienced longer internet shutdowns: Sudan’s nearly five-week disconnection during political unrest in mid-2021, and Mauritania’s three-week blackout amid civil disturbances in July 2024. Iran’s approach stands out due to its complete reach affecting almost the entire population combined wiht strict enforcement measures.
Global Comparisons: Lengthy Internet Disruptions Around the World
- Sudan (2021): Close to 35 days offline amid political upheaval.
- Mauritania (2024): Over three weeks without connectivity during widespread protests.
- Iran (Current): More than seven days with over 90 million users impacted nationwide.
The Government’s Digital Control Tactics During Civil Unrest
The iranian regime frequently cuts off digital communications during periods of mass demonstrations to obstruct both internal coordination among protesters and external monitoring by international observers. As unrest began, more than 600 protests have erupted across multiple cities throughout Iran. These confrontations have tragically resulted in at least 2,000 deaths due to severe crackdowns by security forces.
The abrupt internet cutoff on January 8 also disrupted dialog within critical government institutions like the foreign ministry. While some sectors-such as banking networks and fuel payment platforms-have partially restored online services, stringent restrictions persist across most regions nationwide.
Circumventing Restrictions: Satellite Internet Usage Under Threat
A minority of Iranians are reportedly using smuggled satellite internet devices-particularly Starlink terminals-to bypass state-imposed blackouts. However, authorities have intensified efforts to suppress these option connections by criminalizing satellite receiver ownership and jamming signals. Many devices have been confiscated or disabled as part of a broader campaign aimed at maintaining tight control over facts flow inside Iran.
International Responses Amid Heightened Regional Tensions
The crackdown has triggered significant geopolitical reactions from global powers:
- A U.S.-led naval strike group was redirected from Asia toward Middle Eastern waters amid fears of escalating conflict;
- The United Kingdom temporarily shuttered its embassy in Tehran while evacuating diplomatic staff;
- Iran briefly restricted its airspace following increased instability across neighboring regions;
- A former U.S. president issued warnings about possible military intervention if violence continues unchecked;
- Diplomatic uncertainty remains high with conflicting reports regarding whether executions linked to protest activities will proceed or be halted entirely.
An Ongoing Battle for Digital Freedom: Sanctions Versus Connectivity Support
The current U.S. administration authorized exemptions allowing American technology firms such as SpaceX’s Starlink service to offer free internet access inside Iran despite existing sanctions-a strategic move designed to promote digital freedom under oppressive conditions. Still, Iranian authorities’ aggressive countermeasures underscore an ongoing struggle between citizens striving for open communication channels and a regime steadfast to stifle dissent through technological suppression methods.
