18.06.2025 16:49

Iran has experienced a near-total internet outage, with connectivity plummeting to a mere 3% according to real-time data from NetBlocks. This significant disruption, initiated by the Iranian regime on Monday, has left millions without mobile or broadband access.

The government's action mirrors their tactics employed during the 2019 protests, a period where a six-day blackout prevented global observation of a brutal crackdown resulting in at least 100 deaths. This current shutdown coincides with heightened military tensions between Iran and Israel, following reports of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

The Iranian government's ability to execute such a widespread blackout stems from its complete control over the nation's internet infrastructure. This control, exerted through the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI), allows for the throttling and complete blockage of internet traffic. Furthermore, Iran's control over the Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) enables it to effectively disconnect itself from the global internet. This strategy, similar to Egypt's actions during the 2011 Arab Spring, where 93% of connectivity was severed for a week, has become a widely studied model for censorship. Research published in the *Journal of Cybersecurity* in 2024 highlighted that such shutdowns can drastically reduce information flow by up to 90% within a single day.

Iran's use of internet blackouts to suppress dissent is not unique. Similar actions have been observed in other countries, including India's restrictions in Kashmir in 2020 and Myanmar's post-coup shutdown in 2021. Indeed, internet source data from Access Now reveals a record-breaking 67 global internet blackouts in 2024, underscoring the alarming trend of governments utilizing this method to control information and stifle opposition. The Iranian regime’s current actions serve as a stark example of this concerning global phenomenon.