Amid the escalating US-Israeli attacks on Iran (ongoing through February 28, 2026), the country has been subject to a prolonged government-imposed internet blackout, severely reducing internet access for approximately 90 million people.
Internet monitoring group **NetBlocks** reported on March 10 that the current shutdown lasted **240 hours** (10 full days from March 9-10), with connectivity at about **1%** of normal levels. This is one of the most severe nationwide government-imposed blackouts worldwide and the second longest in Iran’s history—traced only by the January 2026 protest shutdown (which lasted 200+ hours amid widespread unrest).
NetBlocks said: “At 240 hours, Iran’s internet blackout is now one of the most severe nationwide internet shutdowns imposed by a government worldwide, and the second longest recorded in Iran after the January protests, in which the country spent a third of 2026 offline.” Earlier updates said the blackout entered its tenth day on March 9 (after 216 hours) and lasted for a full week until March 7 (168 hours), leaving the public without vital information, alerts or global connectivity, while officials and government media maintained access through whitelisted networks.
The blackout began shortly after the initial attacks on February 28, causing connectivity to initially drop to ~4% and then to around 1%. This is similar to Iran’s history of digital restrictions during times of crisis (e.g., the 2019, 2022, 2025 protests, and the June 2025 Twelve Day War), often to stifle dissent, control the flow of information, or amid security claims—though critics say it increases risks to ordinary people by preventing emergency updates and outside reporting.
Human rights groups have condemned the move, warning that it worsens human losses in the war by suppressing voices and hindering coordination of aid.
Additionally, the Kremlin announced on March 10 that Russian President **Vladimir Putin**, after a phone conversation with US President **Donald Trump** on March 9 (the first since December), floated mediation options to ease tensions in West Asia. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the proposals were still on the table, with Russia ready to help, though “open and constructive” discussions focused on Iran and Ukraine produced no ceasefire request or a date for new talks.
The length of the blackout—which so far amounts to a third of 2026—reflects growing digital pressure amid the regional conflict.
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