Iran has implemented one of the world’s most severe communications blackouts, blocking nearly all internet access for 90 million people. The shutdown coincided with rising protests over economic hardship. Using Kentik’s NetFlow data, researchers tracked how traffic plummeted after authorities withdrew IPv6 routes and selectively blocked IPv4 traffic.

Unlike past shutdowns, Iran is now moving toward a whitelisting model, keeping some IPv4 routes active while restricting access to approved users. This approach mirrors China’s Great Firewall tactics, allowing limited connectivity for certain groups while silencing the majority. Authorities maintained control through state-run gateways like Telecommunication Infrastructure Company (TIC).

Experts say Iran’s National Information Network (NIN) laid the groundwork for such control. Previous shutdowns in 2019 and 2022 hinted at this evolution, but the current strategy signals a more permanent shift. Observers expect continued use of selective access models as protest-driven restrictions evolve into long-term censorship infrastructure.

Domestically, services like voice calling and domestic networks are also disrupted. International providers such as Rostelecom briefly cut transit links, reflecting geopolitical influence. Analysts warn that Iran's method could become a blueprint for other regimes seeking digital suppression without total isolation.