Internet access across Iran has remained severely restricted for more than 60 hours, according to data from the internet monitoring organization NetBlocks, as authorities respond to the most serious wave of unrest in years.
Connectivity disruptions began on the night of January 8, when violent disturbances and armed confrontations were reported in multiple cities. Iranian authorities said the clashes resulted in the deaths of 15 law enforcement officers and 12 civilians, alongside extensive damage to public infrastructure and private property.
The unrest traces back to December 29, 2025, when merchants launched protests in Tehran over the sharp depreciation of the Iranian rial. Demonstrations quickly escalated, with university students joining the protests a day later, before spreading to most major urban centers nationwide.
By early January, the situation intensified further, with reports of masked individuals carrying firearms appearing in the streets. The government subsequently labelled those involved in the violence as terrorists and accused external actors, including Israel and the United States, of orchestrating and supporting the unrest.
The prolonged internet shutdown has significantly limited access to communication, news and online services, drawing international attention to Iran’s use of connectivity restrictions as a security measure during periods of political instability.
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