Iran's Severe Internet Shutdown in January 2026

In January 2026, Iran implemented its most severe internet shutdown, disrupting mobile networks, text messaging, landlines, and even Starlink, following nationwide protests. The blackout extended beyond censorship, disabling local infrastructure including the National Information Network (NIN), which previously remained functional during past shutdowns. The regime surgically removed social features like comment sections and chat functions from domestic services to prevent coordination. Iran’s Supreme Council of Cyberspace formalized a two-tiered internet system in July 2025, granting unrestricted global access via "white SIM cards" to government officials and loyalists while restricting ordinary citizens. The shutdown demonstrated a shift from targeted censorship to a brute-force approach, isolating the population and preventing real-time protest coordination. Afghanistan later adopted similar techniques, signaling the exportability of Iran’s model.