Iran's Internet Shutdown Reaches Longest Recorded Duration Amid Ongoing War

Tehran, Iran – Iran's government-imposed internet restrictions have resulted in the longest continuous nationwide blackout on record, as reported by the internet monitor NetBlocks. Connectivity to the global internet has remained at approximately 1% of pre-war levels since shortly after the United States and Israel initiated military actions against Iran on February 28, 2026.

A previous 20-day internet shutdown occurred in January 2026, during nationwide protests that resulted in thousands of deaths. Combined with the current restrictions, Iranian civilians have had limited internet access for nearly two-thirds of 2026. During this period, a restricted national intranet has provided basic services, state-run news, and limited messaging capabilities.

NetBlocks stated that Iran is the first country to revert from global internet connectivity to a primarily national network. While other regions, including Myanmar, Sudan, Kashmir, and Tigray, have faced longer intermittent blackouts, none have seen a state-imposed shutdown of this duration and scale.

No conflicts, such as those in Ukraine and Gaza, have led to a complete nationwide internet disconnection comparable to Iran's situation.

During the January shutdown, the Iranian government reported that online businesses could not operate for more than three weeks without connectivity. The economy sustained direct damages estimated at tens of millions of dollars per day, in addition to indirect and cumulative impacts from the blackout.

More than five weeks into the war, the government has not detailed plans for supporting the digital sector or the isolated economy in the coming months, even in the event of a diplomatic resolution. The bombing of steel factories, petrochemical facilities, and other civilian infrastructure has compounded pre-existing issues of high inflation and unemployment.