Iran Faces Widespread Internet Shutdown Amid Conflict and Infrastructure Damage

Since late February 2026, Iran has experienced a nearly complete internet blackout affecting approximately 90 million people, following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and damaged key telecommunications infrastructure. The Iranian government’s National Information Network (NIN) remains operational, allowing limited domestic connectivity while the general public is mostly cut off from the global internet. Historically, Iranians have circumvented partial shutdowns using VPNs and peer-to-peer platforms like Conduit, but total blackouts prevent most workarounds. Wealthy elites, the government, and some Starlink-enabled gateways retain access, though even these are vulnerable to damage from ongoing airstrikes. The shutdown exacerbates challenges for communication, news dissemination, and evidence collection during the conflict. Meanwhile, regime-linked channels on Telegram remain active, promoting state narratives and selective information. The blackout highlights Iran’s extensive digital surveillance capabilities and the development of tiered access, favoring elites and certain institutions. Despite severe restrictions, tools like Conduit continue to provide minimal connectivity, showing the resilience of civil society and digital activists. The future of Iran’s internet infrastructure and public access remains highly uncertain as conflict and strategic censorship persist.