Internet shutdown squeezes Iran's businesses amid unrest

Iran has been under a near-countrywide internet shutdown since Jan. 8, and many businesses that depend on social media report steep losses while officials have given no firm timeline for restoration.

Authorities cut internet access on Jan. 8 as nationwide protests were met with a forceful response, and connectivity has since been limited mainly to some domestic websites. The shutdown is the most extensive in the Islamic Republic's recent history and has coincided with broader economic strain tied to a sharp fall in the rial and changes to fuel pricing. Many small businesses that relied on platforms such as Instagram and Telegram report heavy revenue declines. Officials have not provided a clear timetable for full restoration, and some prosecutors have begun legal actions affecting private enterprises. Known details: - The internet was largely shut down on Jan. 8; in recent days some domestic sites and partial Google search functions returned while most international access remains restricted. - Iranian officials have not announced a timetable for reopening the network; state estimates put the daily economic cost at $2.8–$4.3 million while independent monitoring group NetBlocks estimates higher losses per day. - Business owners report sharp drops in sales after losing access to social media, and prosecutors in Tehran have filed paperwork to seize assets of some cafes and other figures, according to state-linked media. Summary: The shutdown has deepened financial pressure on already struggling households and enterprises and has reduced digital sales channels for many merchants. Undetermined at this time.