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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.
Argentina has reiterated its interest in resuming talks with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, a disputed archipelago in the South Atlantic, after reports that an internal Pentagon email suggested reviewing Washington’s support for the UK’s claim amid tensions over the Iran war.
Diplomatic efforts to end the Iran war are intensifying, with the White House confirming that U.S. President Donald Trump will send special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner to Islamabad for talks with Iran under Pakistani mediation.
Russian emergency services have contained a major fire at the Tuapse oil refinery on the Black Sea coast, local officials said on Thursday, ending a four-day effort after a Ukrainian drone strike.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
Slovenia’s national broadcaster RTV Slovenia has confirmed it will not air the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, joining a widening boycott over Israel’s participation.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is in Azerbaijan for talks with President Ilham Aliyev, holding meetings in Gabala on Saturday (25 April) during a working visit to the country.
An additional consignment of Russian wheat has been dispatched to Armenia via Azerbaijan transit routes on 24 April, continuing a series of deliveries using regional rail corridors.
France and Armenia are set to strengthen cooperation in defence, technology and the economy during a state visit by President Emmanuel Macron, Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister has confirmed.
Around 14% of Central Asia’s population - about 12 million people - are facing food shortages, according to the United Nations. The issue was a central focus at the Regional Environmental Summit in Astana.
Türkiye sent six trucks carrying critical medical supplies to Iran on Thursday, reinforcing humanitarian assistance amid challenging cross-border conditions.
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