Iran’s government has repeatedly imposed near-total internet blackouts in 2026 to contain information flows during domestic unrest and external conflict. A nationwide shutdown began January 8 amid widespread protests sparked by economic collapse and currency turmoil, severing international connectivity and even limiting the National Information Network for roughly ten days before partial recovery. A second, longer blackout started February 28 amid U.S.-Israeli military operations and lasted until late May, totaling 88 days—the longest recorded—before gradual restoration to roughly one-third of prior traffic levels. Access remains heavily filtered, with major platforms restricted, VPN effectiveness reduced, and tiered “whitelist” systems favoring select users. Recent legislative proposals and infrastructure projects aim to strengthen centralized control and a domestic network, while lingering protest risks and security concerns keep the option of renewed isolation available to authorities.