Iran’s Internet Shutdown Now Ranks Among the Longest Ever Amid Ongoing Protests

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Iran’s nationwide internet blackout, imposed since late November 2025 in response to widespread protests over economic hardships and government policies, has now surpassed 50 days as of January 16, 2026, making it one of the longest sustained disruptions in global history. The shutdown, affecting over 80 million users, exceeds previous records like Myanmar’s 2021 military coup blackout (34 days) and Sudan’s 2019 outage (37 days), according to digital rights trackers Access Now and NetBlocks.

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Authorities ordered the blackout on November 25, 2025, citing the need to curb “foreign interference” and prevent the spread of protest-related content on platforms like Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram. The disruption has blocked access to international websites, social media, and VPNs, while domestic services like state-approved apps remain partially operational. Protests, sparked by rising fuel prices and inflation, have continued despite the blackout, with reports of over 500 deaths and thousands of arrests from human rights groups.

The economic toll is estimated at $1.5 billion in lost business activity, affecting e-commerce, banking, and remote work. International condemnation has grown, with the UN calling for restoration and the U.S. imposing sanctions on Iranian officials linked to the censorship. Iran’s government maintains the measure is temporary and necessary for national security, with no timeline for lifting.