Prolonged Internet Shutdown Deepens Challenges for Iranians
News Gazeta Express – April 22, 2026 – The ongoing internet shutdowns in Iran are significantly exacerbating the difficulties faced by the country’s population during the current period of heightened conflict. For more than 54 days, access to the internet has been unavailable nationwide, marking one of the longest sustained national internet shutdowns recorded. The disruption, which commenced on February 28th, has drawn comparisons to the 2011 Libyan shutdown lasting nearly six months during the Arab Spring.
However, analysts note a crucial difference: Iran’s population of over 90 million residents represents approximately 15 times the size of Libya’s population at the time, suggesting this is potentially the largest disruption of communications ordered by a government in history. According to NetBlocks, an internet observation organization, the situation represents “something unprecedented in terms of scale and severity in a society’s communications.” The continued internet shutdowns are hindering communication, access to information, and economic activity for Iranian citizens. The situation remains a significant concern, highlighting the impact of restricted connectivity during times of instability.
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