July 1, 2025

Why the Internet in Iran is Cut Off and Disruptions Continue? Examining the Reasons and Latest Status

In recent days, internet users across Iran have faced widespread disruptions and repeated outages. This situation, which began on Wednesday, has disrupted many daily activities, businesses, and access to information. But reason for internet disruption in Iran and cause of prolonged outage – Is the disruption still ongoing? Answering these questions requires examining various aspects and information released by official and unofficial sources.

Analysis shows that these outages and restrictions are not unprecedented, but their intensity and duration in this recent period have drawn attention. Below, we will analyze the stated reasons and the latest status of internet access in Iran.

Main Reasons for Internet Outage in Iran: Security Concerns and Cyberattacks

The most important reason cited by some official news agencies and relevant authorities for the reason for internet disruption in Iran is “security concerns” and “efforts to prevent the leakage of military information.” This has been particularly raised amidst heightened military tensions with Israel and increased regional tensions. According to these sources, the main objective of these restrictions is to protect the country’s critical infrastructure under the current sensitive conditions.

News agencies like IRNA, Fars, and ISNA have quoted officials emphasizing that the decision was made by the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the body overseeing the country’s cybersecurity. This approach indicates that national security is prioritized, and internet access is directly affected by defense and security considerations.

The Role of Cyberattacks in Internet Disruptions

Another reason mentioned for the reason for internet disruption in Iran and recent outages is “widespread cyberattacks.” FATA Police have also referred to this issue, claiming that the recent disruptions were due to these attacks and that conditions will return to normal soon. However, detailed information about the origin and nature of these attacks has not been published.

Another report also pointed to the role of free VPNs in causing disruptions, claiming that their use is the primary reason for outages which spread through DDoS attacks. This issue, although less emphasized compared to the broader security reasons, could be a contributing factor or one layer of the problem.

Cause of Prolonged Outage and Current Status

Another important question is, cause of prolonged outage – Is the disruption still ongoing? Based on recent reports, the internet disruption and outage in Iran have entered their fourth day. Data published by global monitoring bodies shows that despite a partial return of connectivity at certain hours, the country remains largely offline.

Internet access has dropped to less than one-third of the capacity before the restrictions were imposed. This significant reduction in international traffic indicates that the restrictions are still being heavily enforced, and public access to information and communication remains disrupted. The exact time for the internet to be fully restored is unclear. Relevant authorities have stated that it depends on the lifting of emergency conditions and final approval by security officials. This response suggests that as long as security concerns persist, the restrictions are likely to continue.

Various Dimensions of the Impact of Internet Outage on Daily Life and Economy

Internet outages and disruptions are not just technical issues; they have wide-ranging social and economic dimensions. In today’s world, where many activities are conducted online, these restrictions directly impact online businesses, educational activities, personal communications, and access to public and private services.

Small and large businesses whose operations depend on the internet incur significant financial losses. Students face difficulties accessing educational resources, and family and friend communications conducted through online platforms are disrupted. This situation also restricts free access to information and slows down the natural flow of news and analysis.

A Look at the Historical Reasons for Internet Disruptions in Iran

Although the current reasons for disruptions are more tied to security issues, the history of internet access in Iran has always been accompanied by challenges. In the past, various reasons were cited for slow or cut internet, sometimes involving technical aspects such as infrastructure problems, power outages at operator sites, and even damage to submarine cables (sometimes jokingly attributed to sharks and ship anchors!).

However, in recent years, the discussion of targeted restrictions related to security issues or control of access to information has become one of the main reasons for widespread disruptions. In some cases, infrastructure upgrades or technical operations in specific areas have led to temporary outages, but the recent nationwide and prolonged outage is linked to the security reasons mentioned earlier.

Are There Solutions to Reduce the Impact of Disruptions?

In the face of this situation, users and businesses are looking for ways to reduce the impact of outages. Using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) is one such solution, although the use of certain types of them also faces challenges and is sometimes mentioned as part of the problem.

Some businesses might look for alternative solutions for their communication and operations, but the nature of widespread dependence on the internet in today’s world makes finding effective alternatives difficult. At a broader level, investing in more resilient infrastructure and increasing transparency in informing about the reasons and duration of disruptions could help manage the situation better.

Conclusion: The Situation Remains Unclear

Finally, the answer to the question Is the disruption still ongoing? Based on available reports, is yes. Widespread disruptions in internet access in Iran continue, and access levels are significantly reduced. The reason for internet disruption in Iran and cause of prolonged outage are mainly attributed to security reasons, concerns about the leakage of military information in times of regional tension, and also reports of cyberattacks.

The exact timing for these restrictions to end is unclear and, according to officials, depends on the lifting of emergency conditions and approval by security bodies. This situation has impacted various aspects of people’s social and economic lives and has highlighted the need for stable and reliable internet access more than ever.

Why the Internet in Iran is Cut Off and Disruptions Continue? Examining the Reasons and Latest Status