Iran Orders Immediate Internet Shutdown in Case of War
Translated & summarized from JDN by baba
Senior Iranian officials have ordered an immediate shutdown of international internet access for users in the country in the event of a new military conflict. The directive, conveyed in an official letter, designates the internet cutoff as an operational necessity at the start of hostilities. This move comes after previous extensive internet outages, including an 88-day shutdown in 2023. The regime aims to formalize communication blackout procedures in anticipation of potential future fighting.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Iran has ordered an immediate internet shutdown for users in the country during military conflicts.
- The directive was issued by senior officials in Tehran via an official letter.
- This policy follows previous instances of extensive internet restrictions and outages in Iran.
- A prior nationwide internet shutdown lasted approximately 88 days.
- The regime seeks to formalize communication cutoff protocols in anticipation of future fighting.
Senior officials in Tehran have issued a binding directive mandating the immediate disconnection of international internet access for users within the country should a new military conflict erupt. According to Iranian media reports, the instruction was conveyed in an official letter designating the shutdown of the global network as an operational necessity upon the commencement of hostilities. The letter did not specify when the order was issued, which services would be exempt, or the mechanism for restoring access after the conflict concludes. This new directive follows past precedents where the regime implemented extensive restrictions and prolonged network outages. Previously, significant connectivity disruptions occurred starting June 13, with connection speeds dropping to near-total shutdown levels by June 18. The nationwide outage lasted approximately 12 days until a gradual restoration of service on June 25. In the wake of attacks by Israel and the United States, Iran was almost entirely disconnected from the international internet. The country remained offline from the global network for a cumulative total of about 88 days (over 2,000 hours), an event described by the network monitoring organization NetBlocks as the longest nationwide internet shutdown recorded in any country. Now, amid heightened tensions and the possibility of further fighting, the regime seeks to pre-establish communication cutoff protocols with the outside world from the outset of any battles.
