On May 26, 2026, after 88 days of severe restrictions on international internet access, network monitoring platforms recorded the first signs of connectivity returning to Iran. Yet the apparent restoration did not amount to a full return to the global internet. Instead, the recovery was gradual, uneven, and accompanied by significant political controversy. This reportContinue reading "The Illusion of Reconnection: Iran’s New Hybrid Internet Shutdown Model"
Author Archives: Filterwatch
The Fragmented Return: Inside Iran’s Gradual Internet Restoration and Political Tug-of-War
Following a period of severe digital disruption, internet connectivity in Iran has begun showing signs of a gradual but highly contested restoration. This report details the unfolding factional power struggle over Iran's digital borders, highlighting a dynamic shift from high-level national security shutdown orders to recent, conflicting judicial interventions. Because this transition began only today,Continue reading "The Fragmented Return: Inside Iran’s Gradual Internet Restoration and Political Tug-of-War"
From the Open Internet to Internet Sovereignty: Death of the Global Internet
The Islamic Republic of Iran is entering a new era of digital authoritarianism with the role of a long anticipated, discriminatory system of internet access. On April 14th, Sattar Hashemi, the ICT Minister, unveiled the government’s plan in an op-ed for Shargh daily using terms like, “internet sovereignty,” "strategic infrastructure," “digital governance,” “stable communications,” andContinue reading "From the Open Internet to Internet Sovereignty: Death of the Global Internet"
From Massacre to War; Escalation of Cyber and Transnational Repression Amidst Digital Blackout
Executive Summary and Trends The third installment of the Iran Cyber Threats report series has been published following a delay caused by the rapid developments of the Dey protests (late December 2025–January 2026) and escalating military tensions. Given the sensitivity of this period and the emergence of new threat patterns, the data collection for thisContinue reading "From Massacre to War; Escalation of Cyber and Transnational Repression Amidst Digital Blackout"
Under Fire: Tighter Communications, Broader Surveillance
As the shadow of war continues to loom over the country and state control over communications intensifies, this report builds on Filterwatch’s previous analysis of the conflict's initial weeks. By examining the escalating internet crisis and heightened security pressures between March 16 and April 1, 2026, we provide a clearer assessment of the government's currentContinue reading "Under Fire: Tighter Communications, Broader Surveillance"
Is Iran Bracing for a Repeat of January? Targeted Access Bans and the National Information Network Crisis
More than two weeks after Iranian users were systematically severed from the global internet, technical data and field reports indicate the digital crisis has entered a volatile new phase. Since March 13, 2026, the regime’s restrictive architecture has expanded beyond general blocking to target even the "white SIM cards"—the privileged connections previously reserved for state-alignedContinue reading "Is Iran Bracing for a Repeat of January? Targeted Access Bans and the National Information Network Crisis"
Wartime Digital Isolation: Iran’s Strategic Internet Shutdown
Following the joint US–Israeli military strikes on February 28, 2026, Iranian authorities immediately imposed a near-total international internet blackout. While the National Information Network remains active to preserve domestic services, global connectivity has been systematically dismantled. This latest analysis—a collaborative effort between Miaan, ASL19, Kentik, IODA, Cloudflare, Holistic Resilience, and DeltaChat—analyzes the technical nature ofContinue reading "Wartime Digital Isolation: Iran’s Strategic Internet Shutdown"
The Digital Frontline: Tiered Internet, Infrastructure Control, and Information Warfare in Iran
The landscape of internet access in Iran has entered a transformative and restrictive new phase, accelerated by the intersection of domestic unrest and international military conflict. While the country has historically relied on blanket filtering, recent developments—documented primarily through Filterwatch and technical network data—reveal a shift toward a systematic, tiered access model. This transition isContinue reading "The Digital Frontline: Tiered Internet, Infrastructure Control, and Information Warfare in Iran"
Exclusive Report:The Network Behind Iran’s Internet Shutdown; From Engineering Disconnection to Profiting off Sanctions
Update: According to a document obtained by Filterwatch, Riton has ended its cooperation with the Ministry of Communications as of late December 2025. Welcoming the decision of private companies to cease collaboration with institutions involved in restricting and shutting down the internet in Iran, Filterwatch has updated this report. Since January 8, 2026, Iran's internetContinue reading "Exclusive Report:The Network Behind Iran’s Internet Shutdown; From Engineering Disconnection to Profiting off Sanctions"
Total Blackout: A Technical Breakdown of the January 2026 Shutdown
Following the escalation of anti-government protests that began in late December, Iranian authorities implemented what appears to be the most comprehensive and sophisticated communications blackout in the country’s history. Starting on January 8, 2026, access to the global Internet was severed. However, unlike previous shutdowns, this disruption extended far beyond international traffic. Our latest technicalContinue reading "Total Blackout: A Technical Breakdown of the January 2026 Shutdown "