Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has stretched into its fifth week, becoming the longest shutdown of its kind ever recorded, according to digital monitoring group NetBlocks.
The disruption began on February 28 following a joint US and Israel military operation targeting Tehran, and it has now continued for 37 straight days, totaling more than 864 hours of complete disconnection.
NetBlocks shared the update on X, pointing out that no other country has experienced a shutdown of this scale and duration after previously having full access to the global internet. The group described the situation as unprecedented in both severity and length, noting that even regions known for prolonged disruptions such as Myanmar, Sudan, Kashmir, and Tigray have only faced partial or intermittent outages rather than a full nationwide cutoff.
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout is now the longest nation-scale internet shutdown on record in any country, exceeding all other comparable incidents in severity having entered its 37th consecutive day after 864 hours. pic.twitter.com/TmkesLqlKR
— NetBlocks (@netblocks) April 5, 2026
The blackout has effectively cut off ordinary Iranians from the outside world, leaving them unable to communicate freely or access global platforms. Authorities have been testing a controlled system that allows limited connectivity through a selective whitelisting approach, but this has done little to restore meaningful access for the general population.
Unlike Iran, countries such as North Korea remain isolated by design, having never been broadly connected to the global internet. In contrast, Iran’s sudden and extended shutdown marks a dramatic reversal from normal connectivity, making the impact more severe for its citizens.
The timing of the blackout aligns with ongoing military tensions, as US and Israeli forces continue missile and drone strikes on Iranian targets. Tehran has responded with retaliatory attacks on US and Israeli facilities across neighboring Gulf states, further escalating the situation.
Meanwhile, Iranian authorities have tightened restrictions on alternative communication tools, including VPNs and satellite internet, leaving people with very few ways to bypass the blackout. The result has been widespread isolation, with families unable to reach loved ones during a period of heightened uncertainty and conflict.
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NetBlocks has emphasized the human impact of the shutdown, warning that the lack of communication is adding to the distress of those caught in the crisis. Despite growing concerns, there has been no indication from Iranian officials about when full internet access might be restored, and the situation shows no clear signs of easing.
