General · 11 January 2026
Iran cuts internet and phones during nationwide protests
Iran implemented a nationwide internet blackout and cut telephone lines on January 8, 2026, during escalating protests against economic hardship. The shutdown follows Iran's pattern of restricting communications during unrest, similar to previous blackouts in 2019 and 2022. NetBlocks monitoring organization confirmed the near-total internet shutdown began around 8:30pm local time, with attempts to call Iranian landlines and mobile phones failing to connect. The communications blackout aims to prevent protesters from coordinating and stop evidence of state violence reaching the outside world. At least 45 protesters have been killed since protests began on December 28, 2025.
Reported by Times of Israel · How we write briefs