Internet services have been suspended in war-torn Iran for the past 5 days. The international cyber security monitoring organization NetBlock said this information in a statement on Wednesday.
In a message posted on social media X, Netblock said that Internet services have been almost closed across the country for 120 hours (5 days) since March 1. Only 1 percent of Iran's people can use the Internet, Netblock's message also mentioned.
The dialogue between Tehran and Washington lasted for 21 days from February 6 to February 27 regarding Iran's nuclear project. The dialogue ended on February 27 without any compromise agreement.
The US military launched Operation Epic Fury in Iran on February 28, the day after the dialogue ended. In keeping with Washington, Israel also started the military operation 'Operation Roaring Lion' in Iran at the same time.The war is going on in Iran for 6 consecutive days today. Already, about 1,000 people have been killed and more than 5,000 have been injured in this war.
There Is No Internet in Iran for Five Days: A Nation Cut Off From the World
Iran has been experiencing a near-total internet blackout for the past five days, leaving millions of people disconnected from the global digital network. The disruption comes amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. As the situation intensifies, the shutdown of internet services has created an information vacuum across the country and raised serious concerns among international observers.
According to global internet monitoring organizations, Iran’s internet connectivity has dropped to nearly 1 percent of its normal level, effectively cutting off the country from the outside world. � The blackout has now lasted more than 120 hours, making it one of the most significant communication disruptions in the country in recent years. �
- The Express Tribune +1
- Channels Television
- A Sudden Digital Silence
The blackout reportedly began shortly after air strikes linked to the widening Middle East conflict started targeting locations in Iran. Soon afterward, internet traffic across the country sharply declined. Monitoring organizations such as NetBlocks and Cloudflare detected an immediate drop in digital connectivity, indicating that most international internet traffic had been blocked or restricted.
For ordinary Iranians, the sudden shutdown has had a dramatic impact on daily life. People across the country say they are unable to access social media platforms, international news websites, messaging applications, and even some basic online services. Many citizens have been left without reliable ways to communicate with relatives abroad.
In cities such as Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz, residents report that internet connections occasionally appear for a few minutes before disappearing again. Even when connectivity is briefly restored, the speed is extremely slow, making it difficult to send messages, make calls, or download information.
Communication Becomes Nearly Impossible
The blackout has severely limited both domestic and international communication. Calls to Iran from abroad are often unsuccessful, and messaging services frequently fail to deliver voice messages or multimedia files.
Some Iranians say they can still send simple text messages through mobile networks, but even these messages sometimes take hours to reach their recipients. Video calls and internet-based communication platforms are almost completely unusable.
Families living outside the country have expressed deep concern because they cannot contact their relatives. For many people, the inability to confirm whether their loved ones are safe has created anxiety and fear.
Businesses and Economy Hit Hard
The economic impact of the internet blackout has also been severe. In modern Iran, as in most countries, many businesses depend on the internet for daily operations. Online banking services, digital payments, online marketplaces, and international trade communications have all been disrupted.
Small businesses that rely on social media platforms such as Instagram for sales have been particularly affected. Many entrepreneurs use these platforms to promote products, communicate with customers, and receive payments. Without internet access, their businesses have come to a standstill.
Financial analysts estimate that prolonged internet shutdowns can cost millions of dollars in lost economic activity each day. The blackout is therefore expected to create additional pressure on Iran’s already struggling economy.
Government Control and Security Concerns
Experts believe the internet shutdown may have been imposed intentionally by Iranian authorities as a security measure during the ongoing conflict and political unrest. In times of crisis, governments sometimes restrict internet access to control the flow of information and prevent the spread of panic or protests.
Digital rights organizations have argued that such measures are often used to limit communication among citizens and prevent the organization of demonstrations. By restricting access to global platforms, authorities can reduce the circulation of images, videos, and reports that might challenge official narratives.
Some analysts also suggest that cyber warfare could be playing a role in the disruption. Reports indicate that cyberattacks targeting Iranian digital infrastructure have increased since the escalation of hostilities with Israel and the United States. In response, authorities may have shut down parts of the network to protect sensitive systems.
Attempts to Bypass the Shutdown
Despite the restrictions, some Iranians are attempting to bypass the blackout using alternative technologies. A small number of users have reportedly tried connecting through satellite-based internet systems such as Starlink, although these connections are limited and sometimes blocked.
Others rely on virtual private networks (VPNs), which are commonly used in Iran to bypass internet censorship. However, because overall connectivity is extremely weak, many VPN services are not functioning properly during the blackout.
In some communities, people with brief internet access are helping others by sharing updates about safety conditions and developments in the conflict. For example, individuals who manage to connect occasionally send messages to relatives abroad or relay information to friends who remain offline.
Impact on Information Flow
The internet shutdown has created a significant information gap inside Iran. Without access to international media or independent sources, many citizens are relying on state television and radio broadcasts for updates.
However, critics argue that relying solely on official media can limit the diversity of perspectives available to the public. Independent journalists and human rights organizations often depend on internet access to report events occurring inside the country.
The blackout has therefore made it much harder for the international community to understand the situation on the ground. Without photos, videos, and eyewitness reports circulating online, verifying events in real time becomes far more difficult.
Global Reaction
The internet blackout in Iran has drawn concern from governments, technology organizations, and digital rights groups worldwide. Many have called for the restoration of internet access and urged authorities to allow citizens to communicate freely.
Human rights organizations argue that internet access has become a fundamental component of modern life. It enables people to communicate, obtain information, conduct business, and seek assistance during emergencies.
When internet access is cut off, they warn, citizens can become isolated and vulnerable, particularly during times of conflict or crisis.
Uncertainty About Restoration
As the blackout enters its fifth day, there is still no official timeline for when normal internet service will be restored in Iran. Monitoring organizations continue to report extremely low connectivity levels, suggesting that restrictions remain firmly in place.
For millions of Iranians, the situation has created a sense of isolation from the rest of the world. Families are struggling to stay connected, businesses are facing disruption, and information about the unfolding conflict remains limited.
Whether the blackout will end soon depends largely on political and security developments in the region. Until then, Iran remains largely disconnected from the global internet, leaving its population to navigate an uncertain and rapidly evolving situation.
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