One of the longest shutdowns in history continues as access drops to near-zero, businesses suffer losses, and the government signals no immediate restoration
Tehran: Iran’s unprecedented nationwide internet shutdown has entered its 49th day, with connectivity plunging to just 2% of normal levels, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. The prolonged disruption has now become one of the longest and most severe internet blackouts globally, raising concerns over economic impact, information flow, and civil access.
The outage, lasting nearly 1,152 hours, has left millions of users cut off from digital services, with only limited and partial access to select platforms reported.
Connectivity Reduced to Bare Minimum
NetBlocks reported that while a few users could intermittently access basic services such as the Google search homepage, the broader digital ecosystem remains largely inaccessible across the country.
The scale of disruption has effectively paralysed communication networks, online businesses, and essential digital services, pushing connectivity to a fraction of its normal capacity.
Government Signals No Immediate Relief
In a significant development, Iranian lawmaker Fazlollah Ranjbar stated that restoring full internet access is not currently in the national interest, indicating that the blackout may continue.
“In the current situation, restoring the internet is not in the country’s interest,” he said, reinforcing the government’s cautious stance.
His remarks suggest that authorities are prioritising security and control considerations over immediate digital restoration.
Economic Fallout and Compensation Demand
Ranjbar also acknowledged the economic damage caused by the prolonged shutdown, urging the government to compensate affected businesses and citizens.
He proposed that compensation could be financed through revenues from the strategically crucial Strait of Hormuz, along with the release of frozen assets and expansion of international trade ties.
The blackout has already disrupted e-commerce, banking access, remote work, and digital livelihoods, intensifying pressure on policymakers.
One of the Longest Shutdowns on Record
Experts note that Iran’s current outage ranks among the longest nationwide internet shutdowns ever recorded, with connectivity levels dropping to near-total blackout conditions during the ongoing crisis.
The situation has drawn global attention, with digital rights groups warning about the long-term consequences of sustained information isolation.
As the blackout continues with no clear timeline for restoration, the crisis highlights the growing role of internet access as critical infrastructure, on par with power, water, and transportation systems.
