Iran’s Nationwide Internet Shutdown has now Entered its 50th Day

The watchdog said the blackout has now lasted for more than seven weeks, making it one of the longest nationwide internet shutdowns ever recorded in a country that was previously connected to the global web.

In a statement shared on X, NetBlocks said Iran has been cut off from the global internet for about 1,176 hours, describing the situation as unprecedented for a connected society.

The organisation warned that the continued blackout is affecting the daily lives of millions of Iranians, including their ability to work, communicate, and access important information from outside the country.

The shutdown began shortly after the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran escalated on February 28.

Despite the blackout, Iran’s internal internet system, commonly known as the local intranet, is still functioning. This allows citizens to access local websites and government-approved online services within the country.

However, access to international news websites and social media platforms such as Instagram remains heavily restricted.

Some people are reportedly trying to use VPN services to bypass the restrictions and access the global internet whenever limited bandwidth becomes available.

Reports indicate that some Iranians suspected of using VPNs have received warning messages threatening arrest or imprisonment.

A few people are also said to be using satellite internet services such as Starlink, although such services remain banned in the country.

NetBlocks had earlier stated that this blackout had already become the longest nationwide internet shutdown on record by early April.

The prolonged blackout has raised serious concerns over human rights and the economic impact on businesses that rely on internet access.