Iranian authorities impose internet blackout amid widespread protests

Iran’s leadership has ordered a nationwide internet shutdown as protests spread across all 31 provinces, cutting off most online communication and access to information. The blackout affects broad sections of the population and limits the ability of people inside the country to share images, videos, or reports of the unrest.

The disruption also hampers contact with the outside world, as social media, messaging platforms, and many websites become unreachable or unstable. Authorities have turned to this tactic repeatedly during periods of unrest, using connectivity controls as a tool to contain demonstrations and manage the flow of news.