As the conflict between Israel, the United States, and Iran enters its second week, a critical consequence has emerged for Iranian citizens: widespread internet access has been cut off. This shutdown, which began on February 28th following joint strikes by the U.S. And Israel, isn’t simply an inconvenience; it’s a deliberate move with far-reaching implications for safety, communication, and access to vital information. For families like the Khalilis, with relatives still living in Iran, the blackout creates agonizing uncertainty.
The Iranian government claims the internet shutdown is a necessary security measure, intended to protect against cyberattacks. However, experts suggest a more troubling motive: control. By limiting access to information, the regime aims to suppress dissent and maintain power during a period of heightened conflict. This isn’t the first time Iran has implemented such measures, but the scale and timing of this shutdown are particularly concerning, coinciding with a period of intense military action and potential for widespread unrest.
The impact of the internet shutdown extends far beyond the inability to share social media posts. It disrupts access to essential services like education, healthcare, and critical safety updates. For those living in the capital, Tehran, where recent airstrikes have targeted oil depots, the lack of information can be a matter of life and death. The situation is especially acute for vulnerable populations, including those who rely on online communities for support.
Dara Khalili, a 13-year-old living in Toronto, Ontario, knows this firsthand. His parents were born in Iran, and he regularly connects with family there via FaceTime. “We’re incredibly worried about them,” Dara told CBC Kids News. His family experienced a period of anxious waiting before learning through a friend with internet access that their relatives in Tehran were safe, despite the recent bombings.
(Image submitted by Ladan Shahrooz: Dara Khalili, pictured in 2022, holds up a sign that reads ‘for’ in Farsi, supporting anti-government protests. On the right is a current photo of Dara.)
The Scale of the Disconnection
According to Nayana Prakash, a research fellow in the international security program at Chatham House, only approximately four percent of Iran currently has access to the internet. Prakash described the shutdown as “one of the most sophisticated shutdowns that Iran’s ever had,” in an interview with CBC News. This level of control demonstrates the regime’s capacity to isolate its population during times of crisis.
Farzaneh Badiei, an internet policy researcher based in New York City, echoes this assessment. She argues that the shutdown is a deliberate attempt to “show how centralized and powerful they are,” and to suppress any potential opposition. By controlling the flow of information, the government aims to prevent assemblies, gatherings, and any organized resistance.
Why Cutting Off the Internet is So Harmful
The consequences of this internet blackout are multifaceted and deeply concerning. Badiei highlights the impact on vulnerable groups, particularly those who rely on online communities for support, such as LGBTQ+ individuals in a country where their identity is criminalized. “They have, like, a sense of support that they cannot get in the family. And now with this shutdown, they don’t get that. So I am very worried about their mental health,” she explained.
Beyond social and emotional well-being, the shutdown disrupts access to essential services. Iranians are unable to easily research medical information, access educational resources, or stay informed about safety precautions during a time of active conflict. Prakash emphasizes that the lack of information prevents citizens from “verify[ing] information or even receiv[ing] advance warning of some of these strikes.”
(Image credit: Sasan/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images: Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in the capital of Iran, Tehran, on March 7.)
A Pattern of Control
Internet shutdowns are not unprecedented in Iran. In January, the regime similarly restricted access during mass protests, briefly restoring connectivity before implementing the current, more extensive blackout following the February 28th attacks. This pattern suggests a deliberate strategy of using internet control as a tool for suppressing dissent and maintaining power. As reported by the Wikipedia entry on the 2026 Iran War, the current conflict began with surprise airstrikes by Israel and the United States on multiple sites across Iran.
The situation remains fluid, and it’s unclear how long the internet blackout will last. Both Prakash and Badiei suggest that a swift restoration of access is unlikely, given the government’s apparent determination to control the narrative and suppress potential unrest. The ongoing conflict, coupled with the information blackout, creates a dangerous environment for Iranian citizens.
As the conflict continues, the lack of internet access in Iran underscores the critical role of connectivity in times of crisis. It’s a stark reminder that access to information is not merely a convenience, but a fundamental human right, particularly when safety and survival are at stake. The situation demands continued attention and advocacy for the restoration of internet access for the Iranian people.
What comes next remains uncertain, but the continued suppression of information will undoubtedly exacerbate the challenges faced by Iranians during this period of conflict. Share your thoughts and perspectives on this critical issue in the comments below.
