Summary: NetBlocks has confirmed a near-total nationwide internet blackout in Iran, with connectivity falling to 2% of normal levels. The “Internet Kill Switch” was activated in response to intensifying anti-government protests, successfully cutting off internal and external digital communication for over 48 hours.
Business Impact: This represents a massive operational risk for companies in Bahrain and the GCC with cross-border digital dependencies. Essential services, including banking and cloud-hosted data centers in the region, are severely disrupted. It underscores the fragility of digital infrastructure in geopolitical hotspots.
Why It Happened: This is a centrally imposed disruption designed to prevent the coordination of protests and the flow of information regarding security force actions to the outside world.
Recommended Executive Action: Review your “Disaster Recovery” plans for regional service outages. Ensure your communication strategy for remote teams in volatile areas includes satellite-based or offline-first alternatives.
Hashtags: #Iran #InternetBlackout #KillSwitch #NetBlocks #DigitalRights #RegionalRisk