122/69 Monday, March 2, 2026
On Saturday, internet access across Iran dropped to nearly zero amid ongoing military operations by the United States and Israel. Global internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported network data confirming a “near-total blackout,” with national connectivity falling to approximately 4% of normal levels.
NetBlocks noted that the disruption resembles measures previously observed during last year’s conflict with Israel, suggesting that Iranian authorities may have intentionally restricted or shut down internet connectivity amid escalating tensions. At the same time, Cloudflare confirmed that internet traffic from Iran declined to almost zero at 18:45 UTC (22:15 local time), indicating a widespread disconnection from the global internet.
Internet shutdowns in Iran are often viewed as a state control mechanism aimed at limiting the flow of information, managing external pressure, and reducing cyber risks to critical infrastructure. The disruption also affects domestic communications, protest coordination, and real-time reporting. Local media reports indicated that large-scale cyberattacks occurred alongside military operations, temporarily disrupting major state-run news websites such as Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA) and Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA). As a result, many citizens reportedly turned to foreign news websites and social media platforms such as Instagram and Telegram in areas where partial internet access remained available.