Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Iran experienced a near-total internet blackout on Thursday, according to reports from global internet monitoring organizations and international news agencies, raising concerns over information access amid ongoing nationwide unrest.
NetBlocks, a service that tracks internet connectivity worldwide, said it had detected a complete disruption of internet service across the country. The monitoring group reported that connectivity was lost after multiple service providers simultaneously went offline, affecting Tehran and several other major regions.
Reuters also cited reports confirming widespread internet outages in the Iranian capital and other parts of the country. The disruption appeared to coincide with protests erupting across Iran over worsening economic conditions, including rising prices, unemployment, and declining purchasing power.
In a statement, NetBlocks said the outage followed a broader pattern of network disruptions during periods of heightened political or social tension. Similar measures have been used in previous episodes of unrest to limit communication, restrict access to information, and hinder the organization of protests.
Iranian authorities had not immediately issued an official explanation for the outage. However, rights groups and digital freedom advocates have long accused Tehran of deliberately shutting down internet access during sensitive periods, arguing that such actions violate freedom of expression and access to information.
The blackout has disrupted communications for millions of users, affecting businesses, financial transactions, and access to essential online services. Observers warned that prolonged outages could further exacerbate public frustration at a time when economic pressures are already fueling widespread discontent.
As of Thursday evening, it remained unclear when full internet services would be restored, with monitoring organizations continuing to track connectivity levels across the country.
