For over 288 hours now, Iran has experienced virtually no internet access, which equates to almost 13 days of mandated restrictions, according to the international network monitoring service NetBlocks. Data provided by the organization indicates that connectivity levels across the nation remain critically low, leaving the majority of the populace cut off from global resources. Experts suggest this marks one of the most severe and protracted instances of internet throttling in Iranian history. The rationale behind this is believed to be an effort to manage the flow of information amid escalating political and military tensions.
This nationwide internet shutdown coincided with a sharp intensification of the conflict unfolding in the Middle East. On February 28th, the United States and Israel launched extensive strikes against sites within Iran, targeting strategic locations and major urban centers, including the capital, Tehran. The White House justified these actions by citing the threat of missile and nuclear attacks emanating from Iran. In direct retaliation, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps announced a major counter-offensive, striking targets within Israel as well as US interests located in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia.
Prior to this, on the morning of March 12th, Iran launched assaults on the Israeli airbases of Palmachim and Ovda, in addition to targeting the headquarters of the Shin Bet (ISA). This followed a preceding cyberattack that temporarily disabled the nation’s railway infrastructure. Simultaneously, the country’s internet connectivity sank to its lowest levels, affording residents access only to a restricted catalogue of domestic platforms.
The internet blackout is inflicting significant damage on both the economy and the daily routines of citizens: online services, banking operations, inter-family communication, and access to external data sources are all severely hampered. Numerous residents are attempting to circumvent these controls using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) or satellite links, but a full restoration of access to the worldwide web does not appear imminent. The international community continues to monitor the unfolding situation, though as of this moment, there is no indication that the restrictions will be lifted.
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