TechCrunch Industry News Iran’s internet shutdown is now one of its longest ever, as protests continue
Jan 16, 2026
Iran's internet shutdown has entered its second week, marking one of the longest blackouts in its history due to ongoing protests. Millions are offline as authorities crack down violently, with over 600 protests reported and 2,000 casualties. The shutdown is so severe that it ranks among the world's longest, with comparisons to Sudan and Mauritania. There's limited access restored for banking, while smuggled Starlink communications and U.S. policy changes are discussed. Diplomatic tensions rise, as embassies evacuate amid calls for intervention.
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One Of The Longest Nationwide Blackouts
- Iran's nationwide blackout has cut internet access for tens of millions and lasted over 170 hours.
- Experts say this ranks among the longest and most comprehensive shutdowns globally, given the population affected.
Researchers Place Shutdown Among Historic Cases
- NetBlock and Access Now data place the current outage near historic shutdown lengths and on track for top-10 rankings.
- Measurements vary by methodology, but researchers emphasize Iran's broad and tightly enforced restrictions.
Protests, Death Toll, And The Sudden Cut
- A U.S.-based rights group estimates over 600 protests across Iran with an estimated 2,000 deaths from the crackdown.
- The January 8th shutdown abruptly severed government institutions like the foreign ministry from the internet.