Media: Iran preparing permanent split from global internet

Iran is preparing to sever its permanent connection to the global internet, restricting full access exclusively to individuals approved by the authorities, according to Iranian digital rights advocates, cited by foreign media.

Filterwatch, an organisation that monitors government censorship and internet controls in Iran, reported that “a confidential plan is underway to turn international internet access into a ‘governmental privilege’,” citing multiple sources inside the country.

The group noted that state media outlets and government representatives have already indicated that this represents a long-term policy shift, stressing that broad, unrestricted access “will not return after 2026.”

Amir Rashidi, who heads Filterwatch, said the proposal would grant access to a filtered version of the global internet only to Iranians who undergo government vetting or obtain security clearance. The wider population would be confined to the national internet — a domestic, isolated platform disconnected from the international web.

Iran has been under an extensive internet shutdown since 8 January, imposed after nearly two weeks of intensifying nationwide protests against the authorities. Thousands of people have been killed, although the demonstrations have reportedly slowed amid a harsh crackdown.

Because of the blackout, information leaving the country remains extremely limited. The current restrictions are considered among the most extensive internet shutdowns ever imposed, already surpassing Egypt’s 2011 outage during the Tahrir Square protests in duration.

According to reports in Iranian media, a government spokesperson has said that access to the global internet will remain cut off until at least Nowruz, the Persian New Year, on March 20.

By Tamilla Hasanova