As of Friday, more than 92 million people in Iran have been cut off from the internet for over a week, marking one of the longest nationwide internet shutdowns ever recorded, according to experts who track global disruptions.
Iran’s leadership imposed the blackout last Thursday, blocking internet and phone access across the country in response to widespread anti-government protests that began late last year and have since been met with a deadly crackdown by authorities. At more than 170 hours and counting, the shutdown has already surpassed Iran’s previous record outages in 2019 and 2025, and ranks among the most severe globally, with only prolonged blackouts in Sudan in 2021 and Mauritania in 2024 lasting longer.
Researchers say Iran’s shutdown stands out for both its scale and the number of people affected, though rankings vary depending on how outages are measured. Digital rights groups warn the disruption could soon enter the top 10 longest internet shutdowns in history. Iran has frequently restricted internet access during periods of unrest, making it harder for the outside world to monitor protests, which human rights groups say have erupted in more than 600 cities and may have resulted in at least 2,000 deaths.
The January 8 shutdown was abrupt, even cutting off government ministries, though limited access has since been restored for some state agencies and parts of the economy, including banking and fuel payments. A small number of Iranians have reportedly turned to Starlink terminals smuggled into the country, despite authorities criminalizing their use, jamming neighborhoods, and confiscating devices.
The blackout comes amid escalating international tensions, with President Donald Trump warning of possible military action, diplomatic evacuations underway, and Iran temporarily closing its airspace as uncertainty over the situation continues to grow.
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