The Iranian government has officially confirmed its decision to impose a nationwide internet blackout as protests over the rising cost of living have escalated into violent demonstrations across the country.

The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology confirmed the move in a statement released on Friday night (January 9).

The Ministry stated that the "internet blackout" was implemented following a decision by security authorities due to the "current situation" in the country.

Near-Total Communication Collapse

As the protests continue, Iran’s internet and communication systems have become almost entirely dysfunctional. International internet monitoring agencies report that overall internet usage in the country has plummeted to just 1% of normal levels.

Impact of the Blackout

The total shutdown has led to severe consequences, including:

• Communication Breakdown: Daily communication for citizens and access to news flows have been crippled.
• Service Disruption: Access to emergency services has been significantly hampered.
• Verification Challenges: Human rights monitors face extreme difficulty in verifying casualty figures and monitoring the ground situation due to the lack of connectivity.