3 articles · Updated · The Wall Street Journal · May 8
NetBlocks said the shutdown, imposed on 28 February, has lasted more than 1,600 hours as war continues.
The restrictions have severely limited access to war information and made it difficult for Iranians to contact relatives.
Earlier reports said about 99% of the population was offline, though some users still connected through satellite links, VPNs or a restricted "white internet".
Is Iran's 'white internet' a blueprint for how authoritarian regimes will control populations online?
Can SpaceX's software updates defeat Iran's Russian-made jammers in the battle for internet freedom?
How are activists smuggling satellite tech into Iran when its use is punishable by death?
Inside Iran’s 98% Internet Shutdown: Economic Devastation and Social Fracture
Overview
Since February 28, 2026, Iran has faced a severe internet blackout triggered by military conflict with the US and Israel. The government quickly activated a pre-existing National Information Network, cutting off 98% of internet traffic and isolating most citizens from the global web. A two-tiered access system was created, granting limited, costly connectivity to select professionals and near-unrestricted access to regime insiders, while the majority remain confined to a censored intranet. This digital divide has caused widespread economic damage, social resentment, and mental health struggles. Despite strict controls, a black market for VPNs and Starlink terminals thrives, highlighting deep inequalities and fueling brain drain amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.