Iran cuts Internet nationwide amid deadly protest crackdown

Iran shut down the internet nationwide as protests spread across multiple cities, with security forces responding with a violent crackdown that reportedly killed dozens. After 12 days of unrest, authorities imposed a nationwide internet blackout to curb protests and information flow, while demonstrations continued and shops closed in Tehran’s main bazaar and other cities.

Rights groups reported a violent crackdown, with Amnesty International detailing live weapons, tear gas, beatings and mass arrests, and Hengaw reporting 42 deaths. NetBlocks described the blackout as part of escalating digital censorship aimed at limiting the public’s right to communicate, with live metrics showing connectivity down to about 1% of ordinary levels and the country offline for several periods between 8 and 9 January 2026. The article also notes Tor Metrics data indicating a rise in Tor usage during the protests, interpreted as a sign of political and informational stress.