Iran nationwide internet blackout remains in place after 36 hours

• Iran’s nationwide internet blackout has continued for 36 hours, monitor says.
• Shutdown coincides with ongoing protests and increased government repression.

A nationwide internet blackout imposed by Iranian authorities has persisted for 36 hours as protests continue across the country, according to NetBlocks, an internet freedom monitoring group.

The blackout began on January 8, 2026, amid mounting demonstrations over economic hardship and political grievances, with authorities attempting to suppress dissent. NetBlocks said on Saturday that connectivity metrics indicate a near-total loss of access to major internet services throughout Iran, affecting millions of residents.

Lost connectivity as protests escalate

After another night of protests met with force, Iran’s national internet infrastructure showed significant disruptions, NetBlocks confirmed. Access to international websites, social media platforms, and messaging services remains heavily restricted, with limited connections only possible through virtual private networks (VPNs).

Read more: Iran hit by nationwide internet blackout amid widespread protests

The shutdown is widely seen as an attempt to limit protesters’ ability to organize and share information with the outside world, a tactic reported by The Guardian during past periods of unrest.

Impact on daily life and reporting

The prolonged internet outage has disrupted banking services, e‑commerce, and communications between families. Journalists and human rights observers told The National News that verification of events on the ground has become extremely difficult, raising concerns over transparency and accountability.

Digital rights groups have criticized the Iranian government’s internet shutdowns as violations of fundamental freedoms and called for international pressure to restore connectivity.

Broader protest context

Protests have spread across major Iranian cities in recent weeks, driven by economic grievances, political demands, and public anger over government policies, The Guardian reported. Security forces have deployed in large numbers, and reports of arrests and clashes have emerged despite limited information flow due to the blackout.

Read more: Iran's Khamenei slams “vandals” after protests

Human rights organizations continue to express concern over escalating repression and urge restraint, warning that the crackdown could further inflame tensions.

As the blackout enters its second day and a half, it remains unclear when full internet access will be restored and how the shutdown may affect the trajectory of protests and the government’s response.