Iran’s regime has shut down the internet in the middle of war – placing civilians in the crosshairs

An Iranian woman and her young daughter walk past a police facility destroyed during a US–Israeli military campaign in Tehran on March 4, 2026. Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

On February 28, hours after the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, the Iranian regime imposed a nationwide internet shutdown.

Roughly one week into the conflict, it is estimated only around 1% of normal internet traffic remains accessible across the country.