Iran's longest internet blackout unfolds amid ongoing unrest - AI News Today Recency

# Iran's Longest Internet Blackout Unfolds Amid Ongoing Unrest

Iran is experiencing its most prolonged internet blackout to date, imposed since January 8, 2026, as part of a brutal crackdown on nationwide protests that have gripped the country for weeks. This near-total shutdown, severing access to global networks and even internal services, has plunged millions into digital darkness, fueling fears of hidden atrocities amid escalating violence.[1][3]

The Onset and Scale of Iran's 2026 Internet Blackout

The blackout began on January 8, 2026, at around 20:30 IRST (17:00 UTC), marking the twelfth day of the 2025–2026 protests in Iran. Iranian authorities disconnected the National Information Network entirely, even for domestic use, leading to widespread outages in major cities like Tehran, Isfahan, Lordegan, Abdanan, parts of Shiraz, and Kermanshah.[1] NetBlocks confirmed a nationwide internet collapse starting at 8:30 local time, describing it as a deliberate move amid intensifying protests and rising casualties.[1]

This shutdown surpasses previous efforts, including the 2019 blackout—a week-long total cut ordered by the Supreme National Security Council—which was the most severe tracked globally at the time but allowed limited access to local services via the National Information Network.[2] In contrast, the 2026 blackout is more comprehensive, blocking even Starlink connections through GPS jamming, with packet loss reaching 80% in some areas and a full shutdown by January 11.[1] Cybersecurity experts note this isolates Iran more completely than any prior incident, echoing tactics used during the 2025 Twelve-Day War with Israel.[1]

Protests Ignite: From Economic Woes to Regime Change Demands

Protests erupted on December 28, 2025, in Tehran, sparked by a sharp currency collapse and soaring inflation, rapidly spreading nationwide with calls for the downfall of the Islamic Republic.[3] Demonstrators have chanted in support of Reza Pahlavi and demanded an end to the regime, as security forces respond with violent suppression including unlawful force, firearms, and mass arrests.[1][3]

By early January, at least 28 protesters and bystanders—including children—were killed in 13 cities across eight provinces between December 31, 2025, and January 3, 2026.[3] The internet cutoff coincided with peak unrest, allowing authorities to quash demonstrations without external scrutiny.[1][3] Human rights groups warn this is the largest uprising since the 2022 Woman Life Freedom movement, with the blackout enabling intensified lethal force.[3][5]

Hidden Casualties: Death Toll Soars in Digital Silence

The blackout has obscured the true scale of the crackdown, with reports indicating at least 12,000 deaths—the largest killing in Iran's contemporary history—much occurring on January 8 and 9 alone, according to senior government and security sources.[4] Amnesty International condemns the shutdown as a "serious human rights violation" that hides crimes under international law, including disproportionate internet cuts that infringe on the right to protest in digital spaces.[3]

Activists and experts, like those cited in global media, describe a "complete blackout" holding Iranians "hostage" for days, preventing videos and images of killings from emerging.[5] Economic damages from past blackouts, such as the $1-1.5 billion hit in 2019, suggest even graver impacts now, compounded by disrupted banking, messaging, and navigation reliant on local networks.[2] Calls grow for immediate restoration of access and global diplomatic intervention to avert further bloodshed.[3][5]

International Response and Starlink Interference

Iran's efforts to block Starlink—jamming GPS signals since January 8 with up to 30% packet loss nationwide—mark a new escalation in internet controls.[1] This first-ever Starlink shutdown inside Iran underscores the regime's desperation as protests challenge its grip on cities.[1]

Amnesty International urges world leaders to pressure Tehran for full internet restoration, labeling blanket shutdowns unlawful even in emergencies.[3] Human rights organizations, documenting decades of abuses, report this as the worst violence yet, amplifying demands for international action to amplify silenced Iranian voices.[5]

Frequently Asked Questions

What triggered the 2026 protests in Iran? Protests began on December 28, 2025, in Tehran due to a sharp currency collapse and soaring inflation, evolving into nationwide demands for the fall of the Islamic Republic regime.[3]

How long has the internet blackout lasted as of mid-January 2026? The near-total shutdown started on January 8, 2026, making it over a week long by January 15, positioning it as Iran's longest recorded internet blackout.[1]

Why did Iranian authorities impose the blackout? Authorities aimed to suppress protests, limit communication and coverage of events, and hide human rights violations amid escalating casualties and loss of control in parts of the country.[1][3]

What is the reported death toll during the blackout? At least 12,000 people have been killed in the crackdown, with much of the violence occurring on January 8 and 9, according to senior sources; earlier figures cited 28 deaths by early January.[3][4]

How does the 2026 blackout compare to past ones like 2019? The 2026 event is more total, disconnecting even the National Information Network internally and blocking Starlink, unlike the 2019 week-long shutdown which allowed some local access.[1][2]

What role has Starlink played, and why was it targeted? Iran jammed GPS signals to disrupt Starlink since January 8, causing up to 80% packet loss in areas, and fully shut it down by January 11 to prevent alternative internet access for protesters.[1]