Iran’s internet access has dropped to just 1 percent of normal levels, according to the monitoring group NetBlocks, leaving millions struggling to communicate or access independent news as conflict intensifies.
Authorities shut down internet connectivity on Saturday after air strikes by the United States and Israel, triggering a nationwide information blackout.
In a message posted on X on Thursday, NetBlocks said the outage had now lasted more than 120 hours, with connectivity still “flatlining” at around one percent of ordinary levels.
The disruption has made it extremely difficult for Iranians to contact relatives or access global news. Calls into the country from abroad both mobile and landline are reported to be almost impossible.
A resident in Tehran told Agence France‑Presse (AFP) that communication options are severely limited.
“The internet speed is very slow. You can’t call, and voice messages don’t get delivered. We can just text,” the resident said, requesting anonymity for security reasons.
VPNs Struggle as Authorities Tighten Control
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks also reported that Iranian telecom companies are warning users against trying to bypass restrictions.
According to the organisation, messages are being sent to customers threatening legal action against those attempting to connect to the global internet.
Many people inside Iran are trying to bypass the restrictions using VPN services or illegal subscriptions to Starlink, the satellite-based internet system owned by Elon Musk. However, the extremely slow connection means most VPNs fail to work reliably.
A resident in Bukan, in western Iran, described the situation as chaotic.
“The internet situation here is abysmal. It connects and disconnects. The connection is slow, so the VPNs don’t work.”
Citizens Struggle to Share Information
With communication severely restricted, some residents with limited internet access are helping others by sharing updates.
Shima, a 33-year-old resident of Tehran, said she has been relaying news about conditions in the capital, which has been hit by missile strikes and bombings since the conflict escalated on Saturday.
“I need to call a lot of people, even strangers, on behalf of their families,” she told AFP.
Travellers fleeing Iran have also faced major challenges, with many crossing borders without internet connectivity or navigation services such as Google Maps.
Iran has previously imposed sweeping internet shutdowns during times of unrest, including nationwide protests earlier this year and a brief war with Israel last June.
