TL;DR
Iran has cut internet access for roughly 92 million people for more than a week as security forces press a harsh response to nationwide demonstrations. Observers say the outage ranks among the country’s longest and is complicating monitoring, communications and some economic functions.
What happened
Beginning on January 8, Iranian authorities imposed a nationwide cut to internet and phone services that has left roughly 92 million people without full online access for over 170 hours. Monitoring groups say the blackout is now among the longest Iran has carried out, exceeding prior national outages in 2019 and 2025 and ranking behind lengthy outages in Sudan and Mauritania. The shutdown reportedly severed connectivity for some government bodies — including the foreign ministry — though officials have partially restored services for select departments and some economic functions such as bank transfers and fuel payment systems, according to reports. The disruption followed a wave of anti-government demonstrations that rights monitors say have numbered in the hundreds of cities and, by one estimate, produced at least 2,000 deaths. Some Iranians have sought connection via smuggled Starlink terminals after a 2022 U.S. exemption enabled U.S. companies to supply internet-freedom tools, but authorities have moved to criminalize and jam those devices and seize terminals on the ground.
Why it matters
- Large-scale shutdowns block citizens’ ability to communicate, access information and document events during unrest.
- Cutting connectivity hinders independent verification of casualty figures and limits foreign monitoring of developments.
- Interruptions to banking and payment systems can damage daily commerce and public services, heightening economic disruption.
- Measures to block alternative access such as satellite terminals raise legal and safety concerns for civilians seeking connectivity.
Key facts
- Approximately 92 million Iranians have been affected by the nationwide outage.
- The disruption has lasted more than 170 hours as of the article's reporting date.
- NetBlocks says this outage has now surpassed previous Iranian blackouts of about 163 hours (2019) and 160 hours (2025).
- NetBlocks’ research director characterized Iran’s shutdowns as among the most comprehensive and strictly enforced worldwide.
- AccessNow researchers say the current outage could move into the top ten longest internet blackouts globally, depending on measurement methods.
- Rights organizations estimate more than 600 protests across Iranian cities; one estimate cited at least 2,000 deaths during the crackdown.
- Some government departments and certain payment services (including bank transfers and gas-station payment processors) have had limited connectivity restored, per reporting.
- A number of Iranians have used smuggled Starlink satellite terminals to reconnect, following a 2022 U.S. exemption intended to support internet freedom.
- Iranian authorities have responded by criminalizing possession of Starlink terminals in some cases, jamming service in areas and confiscating devices.
What to watch next
- Whether and when nationwide internet access will be fully restored: not confirmed in the source.
- Independent verification of casualty figures and protest reports as connectivity and monitoring improve: not confirmed in the source.
- The scale and impact of enforcement actions against Starlink users, including seizures and jamming: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Internet shutdown: An intentional disruption of internet services by an authority, often implemented during unrest or for security reasons.
- Starlink: A satellite-based internet service intended to provide broadband connectivity via user terminals linked to a low-Earth-orbit network.
- Web monitoring company: An organization that tracks online availability, connectivity and disruptions across networks and regions.
- Sanctions exemption: A legal carve-out that allows certain activities or transactions otherwise restricted under broad sanctions regimes.
Reader FAQ
How long has the internet been blocked in Iran?
The outage had continued for more than 170 hours at the time of reporting.
How many people are affected by the shutdown?
About 92 million Iranians were reported to be fully blocked from internet access.
Are people able to reconnect using satellite services?
Some Iranians have used smuggled Starlink terminals to connect, but authorities have taken measures such as making ownership illegal, jamming and seizing devices.
Has the international community taken military action?
Threats and troop movements were reported, including a U.S. presidential threat of intervention and a redirected naval strike group, but actual international military intervention was not confirmed in the source.
As of Thursday, 92 million Iranians have been completely blocked from accessing the internet for more than a week, in what is now one of the longest nationwide internet shutdowns…
Sources
- Iran’s internet shutdown is now one of its longest ever, as protests continue
- Iran protests feel smothered after a week of crackdown
- Iran's protests seem smothered; U.S. puts new sanctions
- Iran's internet kill switch project in final stages – sources
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