Iranian authorities have repeatedly imposed nationwide internet blackouts to restrict information flows during domestic protests and external conflicts, most recently triggering a partial shutdown in January 2026 amid widespread anti-government demonstrations over economic conditions and currency collapse, followed by an 88-day near-total outage beginning February 28 during U.S.-Israeli strikes. Connectivity fell to roughly 1% of normal levels for extended periods, marking one of the longest recorded national disruptions, before partial restoration on May 26 under presidential directive, though speeds remain low, major platforms stay blocked, and roughly 31% of international domains are inaccessible as of mid-September. The government has advanced a more distributed censorship architecture emphasizing whitelists, the National Information Network, and selective access for elites, reducing reliance on blunt total blackouts while preserving control. Trader assessments of future total outages hinge on risks of renewed protests, escalation in regional tensions, or institutional shifts, weighed against documented economic costs exceeding $1 billion in prior episodes and the regime's demonstrated capacity to absorb unrest without systemic fracture.