30 | RISING REPRESSION MEETS GLOBAL RESISTANCE: INTERNET SHUTDOWNS IN 2025 Middle East and North Africa Iran In 2025, Iranian authorities imposed at least 11 shutdowns aimed at controlling information in the country during critical moments. In June, authorities enforced a combination of network shutdowns,180 with one resulting in a near-complete nationwide blackout from June16-21, and a block of WhatsApp during the IranIsrael war. Officials generally cited national security concerns, while one government spokesperson said the shutdown was in response to Israeli cyberattacks.181 Viewed in combination with a set of ongoing platform blocks over multiple years,182 these actions reflect the institutionalization of shutdowns as a state response to dissent and national crises, as Iran continues to face recurring unrest and protest movements. The shutdown that began in January 2026 involved unusually sophisticated disruptions, making it one of the country’s most comprehensive183 and prolonged nationwide blackouts. Iran has a history of violently cracking down on protesters during shutdowns,184 and reports from the January 2026 shutdown indicate that there have been 7,002 confirmed killings (including of security forces), and there are an additional 11,730 deaths under investigation, as well as more than 52,941 arrests.185 Iran also continues to use internet shutdowns to advance its National Information Network (NIN) through offering tiered186 internet access,187 allowlisting websites,188 and forcing people onto national messaging apps.189 Iran's internet shutdowns status* 6 5 Ended 11 internet shutdowns in 2025 6 Ongoing *At time of publication. 180 Human Rights Activists News Agency (2025). When the Twelve-Day War reached the internet. https://www.en-hrana.org/articles/when-the-twelve-day-war-reached-the-internet-fereshteh-goli/ 181 Digiato on X (2025). https://x.com/Digiato/status/1934561401185432046?s=20/ 183 See supra note 1. IODA (2026). 185 See supra note 3. Anadolu Ajansi (2026). HRANA (2026). 182 Al Jazeera (2024). Iran unveils plan for tighter internet rules to promote local platforms. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/2/24/iran-unveils-plan-for-tighter-internet-rules-to-promote-local-platforms/ 184 RFE/RL (2026). Iran Publishes Protest Death List, But Rights Groups Say Toll Is Far Higher https://www.rferl.org/a/iran-protest-death-toll-ofogh-tv/33666963.html/ 186 Radio Zamaneh (2025). Iran passes bylaw expanding censorship with tiered internet policy. https://en.radiozamaneh.com/37071/ 187 Filter Watch (2025). Iran’s digital clampdown: “Corruption on Earth” and wartime internet control. https://filter.watch/english/2025/07/10/ network-and-policy-monitoring-june-2025-irans-response-death-penalty-for-satellite-internet-users-after-israeli-attack/ 188 Filter Watch (2025). The 12-Day War’s legacy: security-driven policies dominate Iran’s digital ecosystem. https://filter.watch/english/2025/08/18/network-and-policy-monitoring-july-2025-security-lens-dominates-irans-digital-ecosystem/ 189 Filter Watch (2025). Digital repression in Iran: implementing undisclosed policies for tiered access and judicial control. https://filter.watch/english/2025/11/20/network-and-policy-monitoring-october-2025-implementation-of-the-32point-decree/