In the 118 days since January 1, 2026, Iranians have had meaningful access to the global internet for no more than 25 to 30 of them. That Iranians have spent roughly three quarters of the year so far under near-total blackout or severe disruption is the product of two distinct crises that struck in rapid succession, each with its own logic, its own justifications, and its own costs. The first wave began on January 8, during mass nationwide protests, and lasted approximately 20 days before a partial and heavily-filtered relaxation. The second began on February 28, the night U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iranian territory, and has now run for exactly 59 days without meaningful restoration.
Iran's Two-Wave Internet Blackout Imposes…
In the 118 days since January 1, 2026, Iranians have had meaningful access to the global internet for no more than 25 to 30 of them. That Iranians have spent roughly three quarters of the year so far under near-total blackout or severe disruption is the product of two distinct crises that struck in rapid succession, each with its own logic, its own justifications, and its own costs. The first wave began on January 8, during mass nationwide protests, and lasted approximately 20 days before a partial and heavily-filtered relaxation. The second began on February 28, the night U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iranian territory, and has now run for exactly 59 days without meaningful restoration.