Iran remains engulfed in a severe communications crisis as authorities continue to enforce a nationwide internet blackout that has now surpassed 60 consecutive hours. The digital shutdown coincides with escalating civil unrest that has resulted in a mounting death toll, with the US-based HRANA Rights Group reporting at least 116 fatalities linked to ongoing protests against governmental authorities.
Netblocks, an internet monitoring organization, has characterized the censorship measures as particularly dangerous during this critical period. ‘The censorship measure presents a direct threat to the safety and wellbeing of Iranians at a key moment for the country’s future,’ the monitor stated via social media platform X, emphasizing the prolonged duration of the connectivity restrictions.
The Iranian government has simultaneously declared three days of national mourning for what official sources describe as ‘martyrs,’ though state media has not provided specific casualty figures or detailed accounts of the circumstances surrounding these deaths. This official period of mourning stands in stark contrast to the ongoing suppression of digital communications that would typically allow for documentation and international awareness of the situation.
The extended internet blackout represents one of the most severe digital crackdowns in Iran’s recent history, effectively isolating the country’s population from global communication networks and hindering the flow of information both within and beyond its borders. Such comprehensive restrictions on digital connectivity have raised significant concerns among human rights organizations regarding transparency and accountability during periods of civil unrest.