Global demonstrations planned over Iran's nearly 70-day internet outage
Updated
Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 7
Global demonstrations planned over Iran's nearly 70-day internet outage
14 articles · Updated · The Jerusalem Post · May 7
Sunday protests were announced by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's office as NetBlocks said Iranians were nearing more than 70 days without normal internet access.
The report says authorities have paired the blackout with mass arrests and increased executions, while allowing limited access through state-controlled networks, white SIM cards and paid Pro Internet packages.
Rights groups say the shutdown has crippled businesses, obscured abuses and driven risky use of VPNs and Starlink, with one economist estimating daily losses at $37.7m and 70% of businesses affected.
As Iran's economy crumbles, is the regime's digital iron curtain its final defense against a popular uprising led from exile?
Can smuggled Starlink dishes and offline apps win the digital war against a regime willing to sacrifice its entire economy for control?
Iran’s Nationwide Internet Blackout: $5.2 Billion Lost, Thousands Detained, and a Digital Divide Deepens
Overview
Iran's severe economic collapse triggered massive nationwide protests demanding political change. In response, the regime imposed a nationwide internet blackout starting January 8, 2026, which has lasted over 70 days. This blackout enabled a brutal crackdown by security forces, resulting in thousands of deaths and widespread detentions. The shutdown also caused massive economic damage and a humanitarian crisis by denying citizens access to information and communication. Despite harsh regime countermeasures like satellite jamming and raids, citizens persistently seek to bypass restrictions using VPNs and satellite internet, supported by international tech efforts. Meanwhile, the regime is building a permanent national intranet, deepening digital isolation with long-term economic and political consequences.