Internet Shut Down Again After Brief Restoration As Iran Enters 10th Day Of Near-total Blackout

Limited internet access briefly returned in Iran on Sunday before being cut off again, according to internet monitor NetBlocks, as the country entered its 10th day of a near-total communications blackout.

Rights groups said the shutdown was imposed to conceal a violent crackdown on nationwide protests that reportedly left thousands dead.

The unrest began in late December, triggered by widespread anger over worsening economic conditions. What started as scattered demonstrations quickly grew into what analysts described as the most serious challenge to Iran’s leadership in years.

Protests sharply declined following a security clampdown that rights organisations have labelled a “massacre.” The crackdown coincided with the communications blackout, which began on January 8, limiting access to messaging platforms and online services. NetBlocks said on Sunday night that internet traffic briefly increased after a “heavily filtered restoration of select Google and messaging services,” but quickly fell again.

Iranian authorities insisted the demonstrations were initially peaceful before devolving into “riots,” blaming foreign interference by the United States and Israel.

Tensions have also escalated between Tehran and Washington. US President Donald Trump, who joined Israel’s 12-day war against Iran in June, had earlier warned of possible military action if protesters were killed. Although Washington appeared to have softened its stance, Trump reignited tensions in a Saturday interview with Politico, calling for regime change and describing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as “a sick man” who should “stop killing people.”

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded sharply on Sunday, warning on X that any attack on the supreme leader would amount to “a declaration of full-scale war against the Iranian nation.”

Despite the exchange of threats, Iranian officials claimed stability has returned to the streets. However, reports indicated a heavy security presence in central Tehran, with armoured vehicles and motorcycle units deployed across key areas.