Iran has implemented a total internet blackout across the country as widespread demonstrations continue to escalate in numerous cities. The government response has turned increasingly violent, with reports indicating that dozens of individuals have been killed during the crackdown as the nation grapples with record-high inflation and a failing currency.
Protests have persisted despite the digital shutdown, leading to the closure of major marketplaces like Tehran’s bazaar as citizens express outrage over the collapsing economy. While the unrest was initially sparked by the rapid devaluation of the rial against the dollar, the movement has quickly evolved into a broader political challenge. Many demonstrators are now targeting the country’s top leadership, creating a significant crisis for the government.
The internet monitor NetBlocks confirmed that national connectivity has plummeted to near zero, effectively silencing communication during a critical moment of civil unrest. This digital blockade is being viewed by international observers as a deliberate attempt to hide the scale of the crackdown and prevent the coordination of further rallies. Despite these measures, data suggests an increasing number of people are attempting to bypass restrictions using tools like the Tor network to maintain access to the outside world.
Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have documented the use of live ammunition, tear gas, and mass arrests by security forces. Reports from groups like Hengaw indicate that the death toll includes several children, while families of the deceased are allegedly being pressured by authorities to remain silent. The severity of the violence has drawn sharp criticism from the international community, including warnings from foreign leaders regarding the potential consequences of continued bloodshed.
While some government officials have made public calls for dialogue to address the grievances, hard-line factions within the leadership continue to advocate for harsh punishments against those participating in the dissent. This internal tension comes as the country faces comparisons to the major uprising of 2022, with advocates calling for an immediate end to the use of unlawful force. The combination of economic desperation and political repression has created a volatile environment that continues to defy the state's efforts at control.
Source: Iran Cuts Internet Nationwide Amid Deadly Protest Crackdown
The pattern of nationwide internet shutdowns during protests is getting harder to ignore. When governments cut connectivity at near zero like NetBlocks documented here, its not just about preventing coordination anymore. I worked on digital infrastructure projects in the region few years back and the technical capability to implement these blackouts has gotten way more sophisticated. The human rights documentation from Amnesty shows whats really happening behind the digital curtain.