TL;DR
Kentik analysis shows Iran severed its links to the global internet on Jan. 8, 2026 as authorities responded to expanding anti-government demonstrations. The blackout followed nearly two weeks of targeted restrictions and an earlier withdrawal of IPv6 routing.
What happened
Kentik reported that, in reaction to a growing anti-government protest movement, Iran cut its connections to the global internet on Jan. 8, 2026. The company observed a sequence of escalations during the day: at 11:49 UTC the country pulled all IPv6 Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) routes, removing IPv6 connectivity; by 16:30 UTC external traffic into Iran began a steady decline; and by 18:45 UTC (10:15 p.m. local) the government had disconnected the country from the wider internet. The shutdown came after almost two weeks of selective access restrictions as demonstrations intensified in cities across Iran. Kentik’s timeline of events echoes the national internet blackout imposed during the November 2019 protests, a prior episode that coincided with significant loss of life, according to the company’s analysis.
Why it matters
- Cutting international internet links blocks access to external news, social media platforms and real-time reporting, restricting information flow during protests.
- National blackouts have previously coincided with violent crackdowns; the 2019 blackout preceded a period with high civilian casualties.
- Removing IPv6 BGP routes and then full connectivity indicates an orchestrated, multi-step network shutdown rather than isolated outages.
- Extended disconnections can hamper emergency communications, humanitarian response and independent verification of events on the ground.
Key facts
- Kentik observed Iran disconnecting from the global internet on Jan. 8, 2026.
- Full disconnection was recorded at 18:45 UTC (10:15 p.m. Iran local time).
- Earlier the same day, at 11:49 UTC (3:19 p.m. local), Iran withdrew all IPv6 BGP routes, severing IPv6 connectivity.
- External traffic into the country began a steady decline starting at 16:30 UTC (8:00 p.m. local) before the final shutdown.
- The move followed nearly two weeks of selective internet blocking as protests swelled across multiple cities.
- Kentik framed the shutdown as echoing the nationwide blackout imposed during the November 2019 protests.
- The analysis was produced by Kentik’s network intelligence team, led by director Doug Madory.
What to watch next
- Whether Iranian authorities restore international internet connectivity and on what timeline — not confirmed in the source.
- Any official statements from Iran’s government explaining the network cuts — not confirmed in the source.
- Reports on how the shutdown affects emergency services, journalism and rights organizations inside Iran — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- IPv6: The most recent version of the Internet Protocol, used to identify devices on a network and route traffic across the internet.
- BGP (Border Gateway Protocol): A routing protocol that internet service providers use to exchange information about which IP addresses they can reach, enabling global internet traffic routing.
- Internet blackout: A deliberate, large-scale disruption or disconnection of internet services that prevents users within an area from accessing the global network.
- Traffic volume: A measurement of the amount of data entering or leaving a network, often used to detect outages or changes in connectivity.
Reader FAQ
Is the outage nationwide?
Kentik describes the event as a national disconnection from the global internet.
Why did Iran cut internet access?
Kentik reports the shutdown occurred in response to a growing anti-government protest movement.
When were the key steps taken during the shutdown?
According to Kentik, IPv6 BGP routes were withdrawn at 11:49 UTC, traffic began falling at 16:30 UTC, and full disconnection was observed at 18:45 UTC on Jan. 8, 2026.
How long will the blackout last?
not confirmed in the source
Kentik Network Analysis Center JANUARY 8, 2026 Iran Goes Dark as Government Cuts Itself Off from Internet Move comes as protest movement grows more widespread In response to a growing…
Sources
- Iran Goes Dark as Government Cuts Itself Off from Internet
- Internet access and telephone lines cut out after protests …
- A Calculated Choice: Why Iran Kept the Internet Partially …
- 2026 Internet blackout in Iran
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