SOLMAZ EIKDAR

IranWire

Nearly twenty hours after Iran’s national internet went dark, the country remains locked in a digital blackout. For hours, Iranians have been unable to communicate through international or domestic internet services, make phone calls, or reliably access information. Even Starlink satellite connections - once seen as a last resort - have been largely disrupted, intensifying fears about what is happening to protesters and ordinary citizens across the country.

Before the full shutdown, Iran’s internet restrictions were usually complex but limited - authorities relied on partial, localized disruptions rather than a total cut. This time, amid massive nationwide protests, both international and domestic networks were completely severed, and even satellite internet services like Starlink sharply dropped.

So Why Is There No Starlink Access?

Despite reports that tens of thousands of Starlink units are operating inside Iran, the blackout has also reached satellite connections. Internet researcher Amir Rashidi told IranWire that as nationwide protests began, military-grade jamming signals were detected targeting Starlink satellites. According to him, about 30 per cent of Starlink’s uplink and downlink traffic was disrupted in the early hours, rising to more than 80 per cent by around 10 PM local time.

Rashidi said this kind of interference - caused by military equipment known as jammers - had never been witnessed in his 20 years of research. He added that the technology involved is highly sophisticated and military-grade, and was likely supplied to the government by Russia or China, if not developed domestically.

Because the jammers are spread widely across the country, the level of Starlink service varies by location: some areas have relatively better connectivity, others much poorer.

How Many Starlink Users Are There?

Based on recent estimates, the number of Starlink subscribers in Iran has reached roughly 40,000–50,000 people. Even during Iran’s twelve-day internet shutdown in the summer of 2025 - during the Iran-Israel war - some users managed to access uncensored internet via this satellite service.

Telephone Networks and Messaging Disabled Too

Around 10 PM last night, mobile phone networks across Iran were shut down as well. While some reports suggested that home Wi-Fi connections briefly remained active, without access to the wider internet they were effectively useless. Banking systems, ride-hailing apps like Snapp and Tapsi, online shopping platforms, and even domestic social networks all went offline. International phone calls were blocked too.

Apps that normally provide voice calls into Iran- such as Yolla - confirmed that calling limitations were being applied.

When Will Connectivity Return?

Asked when internet access might return, Rashidi referred to a similar blackout in November 2019, when Iran’s internet was shut down for twelve days. He said the current situation closely resembles that period - except this time, not only international connections but also domestic services and mobile networks appear to have been cut, with even satellite services like Starlink facing deliberate disruption.

The Rise of “White Lists” and Digital Inequality

Starting the morning after the blackout, Iranian authorities rolled out a “white list” system, allowing selected accounts and institutions limited access to the internet. Gradually, government-aligned Telegram channels, state media accounts, and some university networks began reappearing online. This clearly shows how Iran’s internet is increasingly being split along lines of privilege - where those trusted by the state are allowed back online, while ordinary people remain in the dark, cut off from information and from each other.