Iran internet blackout enters 19th day, leaving public voice cut off

A near-total internet blackout in Iran has entered its 19th consecutive day, with international connectivity largely unavailable for more than 432 hours, according to the internet monitoring group NetBlocks.

In a statement posted on X, NetBlocks said access to the global internet remains restricted to what it described as “a chosen few,” effectively silencing most ordinary Iranians from communicating with the outside world, Caliber.Az reports. 

⚠️ Update: The internet blackout in #Iran has entered its 19th day with international connectivity still unavailable after 432 hours to all but a chosen few.

As the world debates if or how the war should proceed, one voice is effectively missing: the voice of the Iranian people. pic.twitter.com/CJheehYbHk

— NetBlocks (@netblocks) March 18, 2026

"As the world debates if or how the war should proceed, one voice is effectively missing: the voice of the Iranian people," the post reads. 

The disruption was imposed at the outset of the ongoing war and has since severely limited access to information, independent reporting, and contact with relatives abroad. NetBlocks reported that connectivity has been tightened further in recent days, compounding the communications blackout.

By Sabina Mammadli