- Digital blackout in Iran continues for fifth consecutive day
- Starlink connections still the goal, but access depends on location
- Experts urge authorities to restore Internet access
Iranians have been offline for at least 96 hours as the country’s digital blackout continues for the fifth consecutive day. Authorities cut off all communications starting Thursday amid growing anti-government protests.
Internet watchdog NetBlocks and other sources confirmed that Internet connectivity remains close to zero as of Monday morning, affecting more than 90 million people in the country.
The latest data confirms that the Internet outage persists at the time of this publication. “Fixed Internet lines, mobile data and calls are disabled, while other means of communication are also increasingly being attacked.” NetBlocks said.
As previously reported, Starlink connections have also been affected. Filterbaan, an Iranian digital rights organization, confirms that Starlink jamming resumed on Saturday night. For this reason, “many users who had been connected through Starlink in recent days have not been able to reconnect,” according to experts.
However, local reports now suggest that Starlink outages may not be uniform across the country.
Iran’s state-controlled media group, IRIB News Agency, has published a list of domestic apps that citizens can use. These include a national search engine, maps and news agencies.
Filterbaan says the existence of the list suggests “that the government has no intention of returning the Internet to its pre-protest state.”
⚠️ Update: #Iran has been offline for 96 hours, limiting reporting and accountability for civilian deaths as Iranians protest and demand change; Fixed internet, mobile data and calls are disabled, while other means of communication are also increasingly being attacked ⌛️ pic.twitter.com/Dxe5OlUWqNJanuary 12, 2026
VPN services cannot help Iranians get back online, as these tools need a working internet connection to function.
In these circumstances, experts suggest switching to shortwave/HAM radio communications, direct-to-cell satellite, or mesh networks to try to stay connected. Amir Rashidi, Director of Internet Security and Digital Rights at Miaan Group, confirmed that tools like Delta Chat and Ceno Browser “also work and are useful.”
The digital blackout has not stopped citizens from protesting. The BBC reported that hundreds of protesters have been killed and even more arrested for participating in demonstrations.
But internet restrictions are “limiting reporting and accountability for civilian deaths as Iranians protest and demand change,” according to NetBlocks.
“A disconnection of a nation from the world”
As the world continues to monitor the situation in Iran, a coalition of more than 30 Internet experts published a joint statement condemning Iran’s shutdown.
They maintain that the Internet is a “fundamental instrument” for human connection, the country’s economy and the free flow of information.
“This action is not a matter of internal traffic management; it is a disconnection of a nation from the world,” they write.
The signatories call on the Iranian authorities to immediately restore full and unfiltered access to the Internet. They also urge the international technical community to monitor connectivity and support efforts that ensure the Internet remains open, interoperable and accessible to all.
“The Internet belongs to everyone. It should not be used as a weapon against the people it was created for.”
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