NetBlocks is in the news for tracking Iran’s prolonged internet blackout and its expansion of a tiered access system. NGO monitoring internet freedom since 2017.
Iran has imposed a near-total internet blackout amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli airstrikes, severely restricting communication and access to information inside the country. Outside voices, especially Iranian diaspora and social media creators, are filling the information gap, but their perspectives are limited by the blackout and government disinformation.
Iran has continued to restrict its internet access during the ongoing war with the US and Israel. The government has introduced a limited, metered internet service called Internet Pro for selected professionals, while most citizens remain disconnected from the global internet. The shutdown has caused economic and social disruptions, with some officials hinting at long-term restrictions.
Iran’s government has extended its Internet Pro scheme as nationwide outages persist, aiming to preserve businesses during the crisis. Direct costs are rising, with regulators monitoring compliance as the country leans on an intranet for essential services and schools while the global web remains largely blocked.