Iran's nationwide internet blackout enters 10th day, one of longest on record

2026-03-10 - 11:02

Iran's nationwide internet blackout has entered its 10th day, totaling 240 hours of disconnection and ranking among the most severe government-imposed internet shutdowns ever recorded globally, according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. The organization confirmed that this disruption is "the second longest registered in Iran after the January protests," highlighting the extraordinary length of the communications blackout. A third of 2026 spent offline The prolonged shutdown means Iran has effectively spent one-third of 2026 without nationwide internet access, severely restricting information flow and communication for millions of citizens. The blackout isolates the Iranian population from the outside world during a critical period of military conflict, limiting access to independent news sources and making coordination difficult for civilians navigating the wartime environment. Conflict drives communications shutdown The internet disruption comes amid escalating regional tensions following US-Israeli joint strikes on Iran that began Feb. 28, which have reportedly killed approximately 1,300 people, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf countries hosting US military assets. The communications blackout appears designed to control the flow of information and limit the population's ability to organize or access external perspectives on the unfolding conflict. Strait of Hormuz closure compounds crisis Adding to Iran's isolation, the government effectively closed the strategic Strait of Hormuz around March 1, blocking a waterway that normally handles approximately 20 million barrels of oil shipments daily and roughly 20 percent of global liquefied natural gas trade. The combination of military conflict, economic blockade, and communications shutdown has created an unprecedented situation for the Iranian population, who face not only the dangers of war but also near-total isolation from the global community.