LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Iran’s prolonged internet shutdown has entered its third week, cutting millions of people off from the global web and inflicting mounting damage on the economy, despite the end of mass anti-government protests that triggered the restrictions.
Authorities imposed the unprecedented communications blackout on January 8, following nationwide demonstrations over the rising cost of living that began in Tehran on December 28. Officials say at least 3,117 people were killed during the unrest, which they have described as “foreign-instigated riots,” while international rights groups report higher death tolls.
Although the protests have largely subsided, access to the global internet remains severely restricted. Following this, Iran’s foreign minister defended the measures as necessary to counter foreign “terrorist operations,” a justification rejected by human rights organizations, which say the shutdown was intended to obscure a government crackdown on dissent.
In place of global connectivity, millions of Iranians have been pushed onto the country’s intranet, which is a closed domestic network that supports local apps and services while isolating users from international platforms. Public transport systems, banking and online payments, navigation tools, ride-hailing and food delivery services continue to operate on the intranet, alongside domestic news websites.
Last weekend, local media reported that Iranian messaging apps including Bale, Eitaa and Rubika would soon regain full functionality. However, skepticism remains widespread, particularly among users concerned about privacy and surveillance.
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The economic impact of the restrictions has been significant. Social media platforms such as Instagram have long functioned as a major marketplace for Iranian businesses, but losses extend far beyond online commerce.
On Sunday, local media quoted Iran’s deputy telecommunications minister Ehsan Chitsaz as estimating the shutdown was costing between four and six trillion rials per day, approximately $3 to $4 million. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks offered a far higher estimate, saying the daily cost exceeds $37 million.
Disruptions have been reported across multiple sectors. A travel agent in Tehran said international flight bookings have become “unstable,” with some flights cancelled and passengers informed only upon arrival at airports.
“Business has been affected, with the number of customers calling me daily to book flights dropping,” she said, adding that domestic flights remain easier to arrange.
Iran has previously restricted internet access during periods of unrest, including protests in 2009, demonstrations over fuel price hikes in 2019, rallies in 2022–2023 following the death of Mahsa Amini, and during last year’s brief war with Israel. Those disruptions, however, were generally shorter and more limited in scope.
Content creators and digital workers say the current shutdown is unusually severe. Amin, a 29-year-old technology reviewer who publishes videos on YouTube and Instagram, said he expected restrictions but not a blackout of this duration.
“We used to complain that working under these conditions was difficult, but now it’s affecting every aspect of our livelihoods,” he told AFP.
There is still no clear timeline for restoring full access. In recent days, users have reported sporadic and unreliable access to some foreign websites and email services, including Google.
With uncertainty persisting, businesses and workers across Iran continue to brace for further losses as the country remains largely disconnected from the global digital economy.
