Iran War

By 21 April 2026, Iran’s internet blackout had entered its fifty-third consecutive day, the longest nationwide internet disruption ever recorded (NetBlocks; IODA Iran shutdown report). Connectivity remained at approximately one per cent of pre-war levels. The shutdown was costing the economy an estimated $35–40 million per day in direct losses, rising to $70–80 million when indirect effects were included, with approximately one billion dollars of accumulated damage by day fifty; online sales fell by eighty per cent (NPR). Hospitals operated in an information vacuum, reporting critical shortages of blood and supplies (The Lancet). People crossed the Turkish border for internet access (NPR). Starlink terminal users faced up to ten years’ imprisonment, or execution (IranWire).