Iran's Record Internet Blackout and the Controversial “Internet Pro” Scheme

Since 8 January 2026, Iran has enforced a nationwide internet blackout—the longest in its history—to curb anti-government protests and limit information during the U.S.–Israel war. The measure follows earlier digital restrictions used in the 2022 Mahsa Amini unrest.

CBC News

The shutdown has persisted for more than 70 days (over 1,700 hours). Economic damage estimates range from $250 million per day (Mahdi Ghodsi) to a cumulative $2.6 billion (Netblocks) and $1.8 billion (Human-Rights Activists). Reported job losses vary from 1 million direct (Gholamhossein Mohammadi) to up to 2 million indirect. “Internet Pro” packages cost 2 million toman for 50 GB plus activation fees, while a white-SIM card can exceed 150 million rials (~$100). Banks alone estimate a $250 million daily loss from halted online transactions.

CBC News

Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani described the restrictions as temporary, calling internet access a “citizens’ right” and citing wartime security. Communications Minister Sattar Hashemi called a whitelist system “invalid.” President Masoud Pezeshkian’s office labeled the tiered policy “unfair,” while judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei condemned profiteering from the scheme.

Iran Says Internet Restrictions Are Temporary, Promises Gradual Return to Normal Access

Labor groups—including the 300,000-member nurses’ union and lawyers’ associations—condemn “Internet Pro” as a betrayal of workers. The Iranian Psychiatric Association warns that unequal access fuels psychological stress and erodes public trust.

CNN

Faraz, a 38-year-old Tehran resident, spent a million tomans on a few gigabytes of VPN, calling the experience “a punch to the gut.” N, a displaced digital-marketing professional, described the blackout as “torture.”

CNN

• “Tiered internet or a ‘whitelist’ system has no validity,” — Sattar Hashemi, Communications Minister

CNN

• “The reason for the temporary restrictions is to prevent the recurrence of destructive cyberattacks on the country’s critical infrastructure,” — Unidentified official, Fars news agency

CNN

• “The internet has to come back. It's an inseparable part of people's lives,” — K, hospitality operator

CBC News

The blackout cripples banking, commerce, education and health services, deepening inflation and prompting mass layoffs. Tiered access threatens privacy, fuels corruption, and amplifies social unrest, while international watchdogs such as Witness and Filterwatch have called the shutdown a violation of the right to information and an unprecedented digital siege. The isolation also hampers international business ties and discourages foreign investment.

Bloomberg

Authorities have pledged to lift restrictions once security threats subside, but activists plan further protests and legal challenges. Monitoring groups expect continued scrutiny of “Internet Pro” pricing and the potential expansion of state-run messaging platforms. Legal scholars anticipate challenges in domestic courts, while some analysts predict a phased restoration of full internet services if the war de-escalates.

CNN