Iran is enduring its longest internet blackout ever, now surpassing 600 hours without reliable connectivity. The shutdown, lasting 26 days, has effectively cut millions of peaceful citizens off from the global web during a critical period of conflict, raising serious concerns about access to information and communication rights.
According to the international monitoring group NetBlocks, Iran’s internet and some phone services began to be curtailed on January 8. Since then, the disruption has deepened and expanded, blocking major networks as well as disabling key autonomous systems that once provided limited connectivity. One previously operational segment, AS12880, has also gone offline, underscoring the total collapse of even the most minimal internet infrastructure.
The blackout not only isolates the Iranian population domestically but also severs crucial links to international information, impacting news flow, education, and digital services. It follows a troubling trend of escalating internet restrictions amid geopolitical tensions, similar to past shutdown episodes in Iran but unprecedented in duration and severity.
While governments often justify internet blackouts for security reasons during unrest or conflict, the extended loss of connectivity in Iran highlights the broader consequences on everyday life and human rights. The global digital community is watching closely as the situation unfolds, with no clear timeline for restoration.