Internet Blackout Enters Record Territory Amid War, Crippling Daily Life
Iran has been plunged into one of the longest nationwide internet shutdowns ever recorded, with millions cut off from global connectivity following military escalation involving the United States and Israel.
The current blackout intensified on February 28, when coordinated airstrikes by the U.S. and Israel triggered a sharp drop in Iran’s internet access to just about 4% of normal levels, according to independent monitoring groups.
Since then, connectivity has remained severely restricted, with the disruption lasting for more than two months and, at points, becoming the longest sustained national internet shutdown on record.
While the Iranian government has justified the blackout on security grounds during the conflict, the impact has extended far beyond military considerations. Reports indicate that millions of citizens—especially freelancers, small businesses, and digital workers—have been unable to operate, with daily economic losses estimated in the tens of millions of dollars.
The shutdown has also limited communication between families inside and outside the country, with some Iranians reportedly traveling across borders or relying on expensive virtual private networks (VPNs) to regain partial access.
Although authorities have recently introduced limited internet access for selected businesses to ease economic pressure, most citizens remain largely disconnected as the blackout stretches into its third month.
The situation highlights how internet shutdowns are increasingly being used as tools of control during conflict—raising concerns among digital rights groups about access to information, economic survival, and transparency during wartime.
