Reported wartime internet shutdown order stirs debate in Iran

Yazdanian told the Iranian technology news agency CITNA on October 10 that he was not in a position to make the decision and described restrictions as a possibility with an uncertain extent. He referred to President Masoud Pezeshkian’s stated position that shutdowns should occur only with his authorization. Motamedi told CITNA on October 21 that the Supreme National Security Council should decide after collective consideration, and that ministers opposing a cutoff should present technical arguments; he did not confirm the Zoomon directive.

The report came less than five months after authorities began reopening international access following a two-wave blackout. The first wave began on January 8, 2026, amid anti-government protests sparked by economic grievances; the second, far more severe phase began on February 28, 2026, when the United States and Israel struck targets across Iran. Human Rights Watch, citing Cloudflare measurements, reported a 98 percent decline that day. Reuters reported on May 25 that Pezeshkian ordered access reopened after most Iranians had spent 87 days largely disconnected, according to NetBlocks.