The government-imposed internet blackout in Iran has entered its tenth day. As of Monday (March 9), nearly 90 million people in the country remain largely cut off from the global communication system.
Cybersecurity monitoring organization NetBlocks said in its latest report that Iranian citizens have been disconnected from the global internet for about 216 consecutive hours. According to the organization, internet connectivity in the country has dropped to around 1 percent of normal levels—effectively close to a full shutdown.
The restrictions have severely disrupted internal communication and almost completely blocked the flow of information to the outside world. NetBlocks said the shutdown has effectively silenced the digital voices of nearly 90 million people.
Analysts believe the strict measures are linked to internal political tensions and ongoing uncertainty surrounding the country’s leadership.
With internet access largely unavailable, many citizens are unable to use emergency services, conduct banking transactions, or access social media platforms. The disruption has significantly affected daily life across the country.
Several international human rights organizations have expressed concern, calling the prolonged shutdown an extreme measure to control the flow of information.
Experts also warn that the blackout is worsening Iran’s already fragile economy. Online businesses and sectors dependent on digital communication have nearly come to a halt.
NetBlocks said the disconnection appears to have been implemented in a highly coordinated manner. At present, only a limited number of government institutions reportedly have access to the internet, while ordinary citizens remain offline.
The Iranian government has not yet indicated how long the restrictions will remain in place. As a result, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the international community to understand the situation inside the country.
According to NetBlocks, a drop to just 1 percent connectivity effectively places the country in near-total digital blackout. The shutdown affecting nearly 90 million people is being described as one of the largest internet disruptions in modern digital history.
