Iran's Communication Blackout: A Regime Tactic to Silence Dissent

• Iran has been under an internet blackout for over 132 hours amid deadly protests, isolating it from the world.
• The Islamic Republic frequently uses communication blackouts to control information during unrest, fearing social media's power.
• Past instances include severing phone links in 1989, shutting down internet in 2019 fuel protests, and slowing speeds in 2022.
• During a 2025 conflict with Israel, Iran also sharply curtailed internet bandwidth.
• Elon Musk's Starlink is now providing free internet access in Iran, offering a vital link for information to the outside world.

Why It Matters: Iran consistently uses communication blackouts to suppress dissent, but Starlink now offers a free internet lifeline.