Iran is now facing a near‑total internet blackout as anti-government protests sweep the country. Major cities including Tehran have seen connectivity drop sharply, leaving millions of residents isolated from online communication.
NetBlocks, a digital rights monitor, reported widespread loss of access to online services on Thursday, with connectivity falling sharply across multiple providers at the height of demonstrations that have entered their second week.
By Friday (9 January), latest independent reports claim, Iran’s internet has been down for 12 hours, with connectivity dropping to around 1% of normal levels.
The shutdown comes amid an escalation in unrest, with demonstrators clashing with security forces and targeting symbols of the Islamic Republic. Authorities appear to be restricting internet access to limit coordination among protesters and control the flow of information.
Human rights observers warn that internet blackouts during periods of unrest can conceal violent crackdowns and prevent independent reporting. With online communication cut, it is difficult to confirm events on the ground, raising concerns about civilian safety.
No official statement has been issued by Iranian authorities regarding the scope or duration of the outage. Residents report that access to social media, messaging apps, and other online services has been severely restricted, intensifying fears about what may be happening amid the ongoing demonstrations.
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