In a swift move, Iran shut down its national internet network amid escalating protests. The state‑run telecom operator cut access to major ISPs, leaving millions offline for hours. The blackout aimed to curb online coordination and limit foreign media coverage, and forced citizens to rely on satellite phones and messaging.

The shutdown echoes past tactics used during the 2019 fuel‑price protests, when authorities throttled broadband to stifle dissent. Analysts say the move signals a tightening grip on digital dissent, while also exposing the fragility of Iran’s reliance on a single, state‑controlled backbone for connectivity and potential disruptions for businesses and citizens.

International observers warn that repeated outages could erode trust in state institutions and push users toward encrypted, hard‑to‑track channels. Tech firms are monitoring the situation, while human‑rights groups call for a return to open access. Watch for how the government balances control with economic fallout and global markets remain uncertain.