Iran has entered the seventieth day of widespread internet shutdowns and severe disruptions, in what digital rights monitors describe as one of the longest and most extensive acts of state-imposed online censorship in the world.
According to data published by NetBlocks, the nationwide internet disruption in Iran had exceeded 1,656 hours by the morning of Friday, May 8, 2026. This unprecedented situation has pushed the country into a deep state of digital isolation, cutting millions of citizens off from free access to information, communication, education, business, and essential online services.
NetBlocks has stressed that free access to the internet during times of crisis is a vital necessity, not a luxury. The organization has warned that internet shutdowns and restrictions cause the greatest harm to vulnerable groups, including people with disabilities, students, small business owners, and ordinary citizens who rely on digital communication for their daily lives.
The clerical regime claims that the restrictions were imposed because of security conditions linked to the war with the United States and Israel, which began on February 28, 2026, and lasted 39 days. However, many experts and critics reject this justification. They argue that the authorities have used the wartime atmosphere as a pretext to advance their long-standing project of full control over cyberspace and to impose the so-called "National Information Network".
Critics describe this project as a closed, state-controlled version of the internet designed to isolate Iranian society from the outside world, monitor citizens, and restrict the free flow of information.
While millions of Iranians remain deprived of open internet access, reports indicate that government officials, regime-affiliated institutions, and individuals approved by the authorities continue to enjoy access to the international internet. At the same time, some operators have reportedly offered so-called "tiered internet" services at very high prices to selected groups, fueling widespread anger among users and digital rights activists.
On April 5, 2026, Iran’s internet shutdown reportedly surpassed all similar cases worldwide in terms of scope and duration, becoming the longest countrywide internet shutdown recorded in modern history.
Despite mounting reports about the heavy economic, educational, and social damage caused by the shutdown, no government institution or senior official has formally accepted responsibility. Nor has the regime provided any transparent explanation about why the restrictions continue or when they may end.
Observers say the internet crisis in Iran is no longer merely a technical or security issue. It has become a symbol of a broader struggle between a society seeking openness and communication, and a regime determined to control information and silence public dissent.
In this context, the major Iranian demonstration scheduled for June 20 in Paris will be an important opportunity to draw international attention to the regime’s repression, including executions, digital censorship, and the denial of basic civil rights. It will also send a clear message in support of the Iranian people’s right to freedom, democratic change, and access to the outside world.
Follow the latest news on Google News
