Iran is experiencing a severe nationwide internet blackout, with connectivity collapsing to just 5% of normal levels as of Sunday, March 15, 2026. The disruption, documented by internet monitoring firm NetBlocks, has severely impacted even semi-official and state-affiliated news organizations within the country.
The cause of the near-total disruption remains unclear. Iranian authorities have not issued an official statement regarding the blackout, which represents one of the most severe internet restrictions the country has faced in recent years.
The outage occurs amid heightened regional tensions. Earlier in the week, Iran's Revolutionary Guard issued warnings to vessels near major UAE ports, including Fujairah, to evacuate the area, citing unspecified threats. These warnings have raised concerns over the security of key shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf.
Internet watchdog groups report that the blackout has deepened throughout Sunday, making it difficult to verify events on the ground or gather information from inside Iran. The prolonged disruption severely limits communication and access to information for Iranian citizens.
