Iranian authorities initiated a complete shutdown of the country’s internet and telecommunications networks, disconnecting its 85 million citizens from global communications just after 8 p.m. local time. This move, which has now exceeded 60 hours with national connectivity levels remaining at approximately 1% of normal, marks a severe escalation in efforts to limit information flow during widespread protests over the nation’s deteriorating economy.
The blackout has severed conventional internet access, mobile services, and telephone lines, significantly restricting the ability of Iranians to share images, videos, and eyewitness accounts of the demonstrations. It follows a pattern previously employed during major unrest and limits external oversight as the government faces what has been described as one of its most significant domestic challenges in recent years.
Historical Context of Internet Shutdowns in Iran
This is the third major instance in which Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout in response to large-scale protests. The first occurred in 2019 amid demonstrations against a sharp increase in government-subsidized gasoline prices, during which over 300 people were reportedly killed. The second took place in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody after her arrest by morality police for allegedly improper hijab wearing, resulting in more than 500 deaths during a month-long crackdown.
In previous cases, virtual private networks (VPNs) allowed limited access to blocked apps and sites despite sanctions and restrictions. However, the current shutdown has proven more comprehensive, affecting nearly all channels of communication.
The Growing Role and Disruption of Starlink
Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, has seen significantly wider adoption in Iran compared to earlier protests. Despite never being officially authorized by the government—making its possession and use illegal—an Iranian official estimated tens of thousands of receivers in the country a year ago, a figure corroborated by internet freedom activists.
These devices have become essential for sharing protest-related media, as conventional networks were disabled. Mehdi Yahyanejad, a Los Angeles-based internet freedom activist, noted that Starlink has played a key role in transmitting videos, photos, and reports out of the country during the current unrest.
However, connectivity challenges have emerged. Since Iran’s 12-day war with Israel in June 2025, authorities have disrupted GPS signals, which Starlink receivers rely on for positioning and connecting to low-orbit satellites. Experts report even more direct interference: Amir Rashidi, director of digital rights and security at the Miaan Group, observed an initial 30% packet loss on Starlink devices starting Thursday, escalating to 80% in some areas. He described the situation as unprecedented in his 20 years of research, suggesting the government is employing measures beyond GPS jamming—possibly mobile jammers similar to those used against satellite television in past decades.
Impact on Protests, Diaspora, and the Economy
The blackout has heightened anxiety among the Iranian diaspora, with many unable to contact family and friends amid reports of casualties and injuries. Azam Jangravi, a Toronto-based cybersecurity expert opposed to the Iranian government, described the emotional toll: “You can’t understand our feelings. My brothers, my cousins, they will go on the street… I couldn’t work yesterday. I had meetings but I postponed them because I couldn’t focus. I was thinking of my family and friends. A lot of people are being killed and injured by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and we don’t know who”.
Using Starlink carries significant risks, as possession can lead to severe charges. Jangravi warned: “It’s really hard to use it because if they arrest a person, they can execute the person and say this person is working for Israel or the United States.”
The shutdown also imposes economic costs. According to internet shutdown researcher Simon Migliano, the “kill switch” approach drains approximately $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every hour.
Yahyanejad emphasized the urgency: “This sort of nonviolent protest is not sustainable when the violence (by security forces) is so extreme. Unless something changes in the next two or three days, these protests can die down, too. If there’s any help, it needs to come soon”.
The blackout, combined with active efforts to disrupt satellite alternatives like Starlink, represents a significant escalation in controlling information during this period of nationwide unrest.
