Authorities in Iran have kept internet access cut off for more than 36 hours as anti-government protests continue across the country, driven by the economic crisis, rising inflation, and growing distrust of the regime. Monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed that global connectivity and mobile data services have been almost completely disrupted.
The digital blackout has left millions of Iranians cut off from the outside world, making it difficult to communicate with relatives and to share information about what is happening on the streets. The shutdown followed demonstrations in multiple cities, including Tehran, where thousands responded to calls for a nationwide general strike.
On the second day of the outage, the lack of internet access has limited news coverage, financial services, and social media use, while protests and clashes with security forces continue in several regions.
Is this internet shutdown a tactic to silence protests?
Yes. Digital rights and security experts say the blackout aims to hinder citizen coordination and conceal state repression, a strategy previously used during past protests.
