Global Watchdog Reports Iran’s Internet Blackout Is Now The Longest Nationwide Shutdown In History

NetBlocks reports that Iran's internet blackout has entered its 37th day, making it the longest and most severe nation-scale shutdown in history.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 5, 2026, 5:19 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from The Times of Israel

Iran Reaches Unprecedented Milestone In Digital Isolation

Iran has officially broken the global record for the longest continuous nationwide internet blackout, according to data released by the digital monitoring organization NetBlocks. The shutdown, which was initially imposed over five weeks ago on February 28, 2026, has now exceeded 864 hours of near-total disconnection. This event surpasses previous records for nationwide shutdowns, signaling an unprecedented level of state-mandated digital isolation during a period of intense regional conflict and internal domestic pressure.

Monitor Highlights Severity Compared To Global Precedents

In a formal assessment shared via social media, NetBlocks described the incident as the most severe nation-scale shutdown on record. While the monitor acknowledged that other countries have experienced longer periods of intermittent or regional-level disruptions—and that North Korea remains effectively unconnected to the global web—Iran’s transition from a connected society to a total blackout is unique in its scale. The 37-day streak represents a total severance of the general public from global information networks, with connectivity currently flatlining at approximately 1% of ordinary levels.

Economic And Humanitarian Toll Of The Digital Darkness

The prolonged blackout has had a devastating impact on Iran's domestic economy and the safety of its citizens. Reports from the Iranian Ministry of Communications indicate that the shutdown is costing the national economy approximately $35.7 million daily. Furthermore, online sales have plummeted by 80%, and the Tehran Stock Exchange has seen significant losses as financial transactions dropped by hundreds of millions. Human rights organizations have warned that the lack of connectivity prevents the flow of vital safety information during wartime and serves as a tool to obscure domestic unrest and potential human rights abuses.