Iran's internet shutdown now longest in history: Monitor
The internet shutdown in Iran is now the longest in its history, according to a monitor.
Internet freedom watchdog NetBlocks said that the blackout, imposed by the state following the beginning of the US-Israel attack on the country, reached its 20th day on Thursday.
"The ongoing disruption in Iran is among the longest three internet shutdowns in our records. It's now the longest sustained nation-scale internet blackout we've tracked in a highly connected society," Alp Toker, director of NetBlocks, speaking to Middle East Eye.
He said only Sudan and Myanmar had experienced longer shutdowns, both in the context of military coups.
The Islamic Republic regularly blocks internet access in Iran during periods of unrest. The government says the move is aimed at countering misinformation, but critics say it provides cover for violent state crackdowns.
The blackout has made communication between Iran and the outside world difficult, though some Iranians have resorted to VPNs and other methods to break through.
'It's now the longest sustained nation-scale internet blackout we've tracked in a highly-connected society'
- Alp Toker, NetBlocks
Toker said there were still a few methods for bypassing the blackout, though "ordinary" VPN services were currently not working.
"A domestic intranet has been activated, which has given some technical users a chance to get connected to the outside, though it's unreliable and controls are being tightened," he said.
"Starlink satellites have also been used. Both are contraband and present a risk to the user, given the security lockdown."
He said the authorities had also granted whitelist access to certain media figures and outlets.
"Overall, the figure of those with some international access is understood to be in the thousands or low tens of thousands, primarily those who are pre-approved by the state, depending on the state of restrictions on a given day," Toker said.
Cutting off communications
Iranian intelligence said on Tuesday that they had located and confiscated hundreds of banned Starlink devices across the country.
The ministry said the "complex and extensive" operation involved tracking satellite-linked internet systems "used to serve the enemy" and seizing them.
It added that "owning or using illegal Starlink systems is a crime under Iranian law" and that committing such acts "during wartime warrants the harshest punishments, particularly for those connected to or working for the enemy".
On Thursday, the Iranian judiciary said three people had been executed after being convicted of killing police officers and carrying out operations in favour of the United States and Israel during the January anti-government protests.
The judiciary-affiliated Mizan Online said the executions were carried out after the three were found guilty of the capital offence of "waging war against God".
The protests, which were motivated by a range of issues including cost-of-living and state repression, were some of the largest in recent decades and prompted US President Donald Trump to call for Iranians to overthrow the Islamic Republic.
Tehran officially acknowledges the death of 3,000 people during the unrest, including members of the security forces and innocent bystanders.
Human rights groups say that the number killed is far higher, however, at least 7,000, mostly protesters.
This article was sourced from Middle East Eye.
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