Internet shutdown and domestic political tensions in Iran

According to the internet monitoring group NetBlocks, Iran has been experiencing a nationwide internet shutdown amid escalating protests triggered by the country’s worsening economic crisis. In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, NetBlocks noted that the blackout is a result of increasingly strict digital censorship measures aimed at suppressing protests across the country. This development has significantly restricted the public’s right to communicate at a critical moment. 

This measure can be interpreted as part of the Iranian government’s broader effort to exert pressure on domestic politics by preventing citizens from accessing information about extraordinary developments and limiting online solidarity or the organization of new protest movements. However, such actions may be perceived as a violation of fundamental freedoms and could ultimately provoke the very unrest the authorities seek to prevent. 

Particularly at a time when both the Iranian public and the state are facing serious economic difficulties, this move has the potential to further intensify public anger toward the government. Internet shutdowns negatively affect daily life, commerce, and communication, thereby increasing dissatisfaction and deepening societal tensions. 

Statements made by senior Iranian officials further highlight the fragile political atmosphere. Iran’s Chief Justice, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, stated that no tolerance would be shown toward those who “create insecurity.” He warned that individuals who take to the streets, incite unrest, or support such actions would have no justification left, adding that they would be acting in line with the enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran. 

These remarks demonstrate how precarious and fragile Iran’s domestic political situation has become. The growing gap between the state’s security-oriented approach and the public’s increasing economic and social demands continues to widen. While internet restrictions and harsh rhetoric may provide short-term control, they also carry the risk of fueling greater instability in the long term. For now, these developments can be assessed within this framework, and the future trajectory of Iran’s domestic situation remains to be seen. 

References

Al Jazeera Staff & News Agencies. (2026, January 8). Iran experiencing nationwide internet blackout, monitor says. Al Jazeera. Retrieved from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/8/iran-experiencing-nationwide-internet-blackout-monitor-says