Iran
As of March 6, 2026, Iran is experiencing a near-total internet blackout that has lasted over a week, reportedly triggered by recent regional military conflicts. National internet connectivity has dropped to just 1% of normal levels according to monitoring groups like Cloudflare Radar and NetBlocks. In this digital shutdown, Iranian authorities are taking aggressive measures to prevent citizens from accessing the global internet, including issuing SMS warnings that using VPNs or satellite services like Starlink is illegal and could lead to prosecution or arrest.
Digital rights groups, including Texas-based Filterwatch, have confirmed these threats of legal action. Cybersecurity expert Azam Jangravi characterized the move as a state strategy to monopolize information during conflict. This marks the most extensive internet restriction since previous notable shutdowns during the Twelve-Day War and protests in January. Since 2015, Iran has imposed internet restrictions 63 times, according to Surfshark. The company's CTO, Donatas Budvytis, denounced the shutdown as a violation of human rights, highlighting the isolation of 90 million people with critical consequences for their safety.
The internet shutdown not only blocks access to information but also disrupts communication, commerce, and daily life for millions of Iranians. The government's crackdown on VPN usage further restricts citizens' ability to circumvent censorship and access the global internet. Human rights organizations have condemned these actions, calling for the immediate restoration of internet access and the protection of citizens' rights to information and free expression.
