2026 Internet blackout in Iran

Since 8 January 2026, the twelfth day of the 2025–2026 protests in Iran, Iranian authorities imposed an internet blackout. Reports from Iran described widespread telephone and internet blackouts in Tehran, with additional disruptions reported in Isfahan, Lordegan, Abdanan, parts of Shiraz, and Kermanshah. Cybersecurity experts reported that Iran's National Information Network was also fully disconnected, even internally within Iran.

Although the blackout had been relaxed on 28 January, severe restrictions are still in place. The Iranian Minister of Communications, Sattar Hashemi, acknowledged that the shutdown was costing the economy $35.7 million a day. Online sales fell by 80% during the Internet shutdown, while the Tehran Stock Exchange overall index lost 450,000 points over a four day period, and 130 trillion tomans daily. In January 2026, the number of financial transactions in Iran had dropped by 185 million.

The Internet blackout, which initially did not affect satellite internet connections like Starlink, has increased efforts to shut down the Starlink internet, alongside operations to seize satellite dishes to hinder access to the Internet. The Internet blackout has been described by human rights organisations as an attempt by the government to cover up the 2026 Iran massacres.

As of February 16, internet traffic levels in Iran were reduced by 50%. In February 2026, internet prices increased by 18%, bringing the total increase to 52%.

Following the 28 February Israeli–United States strikes on Iran, there was a renewed "near total" internet blackout in Iran, as NetBlocks reported internet connectivity in Iran dropping to 4% of ordinary levels. Iranians abroad have also reported that they have been unable to connect with family members in Iran or access the Iranian intranet. As of 6 March, internet traffic was measured at about 1% of normal connectivity. As of 17 March, the shutdown was still ongoing.