Iran's Prolonged Internet Blackout: A Digital Fortress in the Midst of Uprising

Iran's internet blackout has now eclipsed its own grim records, locking 92 million people behind a digital wall for over a week.

Iran has blocked internet access for 92 million people for over 170 hours, making it one of the longest nationwide shutdowns on record.

Isik Mater of NetBlocks noted: "Iran’s shutdowns remain among the most comprehensive and tightly enforced nationwide blackouts we’ve observed, particularly in terms of population affected." Zach Rosson of AccessNow added: "The ongoing shutdown in Iran is on a path to crack the top ten longest shutdowns in history."

Some government departments and economic services have regained access, but the majority of the population remains cut off.

Starlink terminals, enabled by a U.S. sanctions exemption, are being used by a small number of Iranians, prompting authorities to criminalize possession and jam signals. Trump threatened military action over Iranian violence, while the UK evacuated embassy staff as Iran restricted airspace.