Fifth day without network: internet shutdown in Iran increases the country’s isolation

In Iran, a large-scale communication shutdown continues — the internet and international telephone communication have been unavailable for the fifth consecutive day. The restrictions were introduced against the backdrop of mass protests that began at the end of December 2025 and have affected almost the entire territory of the country.

The first disruptions were recorded by users on the evening of January 8. In Tehran and several major cities, communication began to “crumble” in waves and then almost completely disappeared. On the same day, the monitoring organization NetBlocks reported a national network blockade. At the time of preparing the material, the shutdown has lasted about 120 hours.

The authorities do not directly articulate the reasons for the shutdown. However, the context is obvious: the protests that erupted on December 28 began with economic demands. High inflation and a sharp drop in the national currency against the backdrop of the return of UN sanctions quickly brought people to the streets. Already in the first days, the actions took on a political character.

The scale of the restrictions is unprecedented. According to experts, the level of internet access has dropped to about 1% of normal values. Similar measures were applied in 2019 and 2022, but the current shutdown has been deeper and longer. Several tools are being used simultaneously: interference in traffic routing, selective blocking of VPNs, and complete shutdown of international channels.

Against this backdrop, Iranians are trying to maintain communication with the outside world through illegal Starlink terminals. According to various estimates, there may be between 50,000 and 100,000 such devices in the country, smuggled in. For many users, this is the only way to access the network.

The authorities consider the use of satellite terminals a crime. In 2025, a decision was made equating the purchase and operation of such devices with espionage — with a possible punishment of up to 10 years in prison. Simultaneously, there are reports of attempts to jam the satellite signal.

The economic consequences of the shutdown are increasingly felt. Small businesses are losing access to online payments, logistics, and communications. This information comes through Iranians abroad, maintaining contact with relatives and colleagues inside the country.

The head of Iran’s Foreign Ministry, Abbas Araghchi, stated that internet restoration is possible in the near future. However, experts are cautious about these words: previous experience shows that even after the formal return of communication, it may remain strictly filtered and limited.

Even if the internet is turned on, it is likely to become part of a “sovereign network” model under full state control. In this context, the issue goes beyond technology — it concerns the future of access to information and freedom of speech. It is precisely these processes and their regional consequences for the Middle East that NAnews — News of Israel | Nikk.Agency monitors, recording how digital isolation becomes a tool of political pressure.