Iran is currently experiencing a nationwide internet shutdown as widespread protests continue across the country. The internet monitoring organisation NetBlocks reported near-total loss of internet connectivity in Iran on 8 January 2026, with data showing traffic falling to approximately 1% of normal levels. The disruptions occur amid ongoing demonstrations that began in late December and are now entering their second week, severely restricting digital communication and access to information for millions of citizens.
The outage has affected fixed and mobile internet access in Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and other major cities, according to multiple monitoring services and witness reports. Local telephone services have also been disrupted in parts of the country, further limiting civilian communication. Observers say the scale of the blackout hampers independent reporting on the protests and constrains social media platforms that are normally used by Iranians to organise and share real-time information.
Internet monitoring data indicate that the downturn in connectivity began around 8 pm local time on 8 January, coinciding with large gatherings in cities following calls for mass demonstrations. Network analysis by Cloudflare and NetBlocks showed a sharp decline in traffic that left most online services inaccessible from within Iran. The government has not publicly detailed reasons for the communications restrictions.
The blackout reflects a pattern of internet control by Iranian authorities during periods of civil unrest. In previous protest waves, including large demonstrations in 2019 and 2022, authorities imposed partial or complete internet disruptions to limit information flow, although the current shutdown is reported to be among the most extensive. Technical measures in past events included reduced bandwidth, blocking of social platforms, and targeted disconnections, strategies that critics say undermine freedom of expression and movement.
The effects of the current shutdown extend beyond social media and messaging. Businesses that rely on internet connectivity face operational challenges, while ordinary citizens cannot easily access news or communicate with contacts abroad. Some reports suggest that satellite internet services such as Starlink are being used by a small number of users to bypass the blackout, although these services face legal and technical barriers within Iran.
Protesters continue to gather in urban centres despite the digital blackout. Videos shared on open networks before the shutdown showed large crowds and chants against the government, but independent assessment of the full scale of demonstrations remains difficult because of the communications restrictions. International observers and rights groups have expressed concern that the internet cutoff could conceal developments on the ground and restrict verification of reported casualties and arrests.
Iran’s government has historically argued that internet control is necessary for national security during unrest, but critics say the practice suppresses civil liberties and hinders transparency. The current outage occurs as protests over economic conditions and political grievances persist, with no clear timeline for the restoration of full internet access.