Iran implements a permanent two-tier internet system, limiting global access to approved citizens while isolating the nation online after 2026.
Permanent Division of Internet Access
A secret plan is being executed to transform international internet access into a “government privilege,” according to sources inside Iran cited by Filterwatch. State media and regime officials indicate the change is permanent, warning unrestricted global internet access will not resume after 2026.
The new system divides users into two categories: those with security certificates or who pass rigorous government checks will access a filtered global internet. All other Iranians will only use Iran’s domestic “basic internet,” a national network isolated from the rest of the world.
Blockade Follows Anti-Regime Protests
Permanent blocking of the international internet began January 8, following 12 days of escalating anti-regime protests. At least 20 people died during the demonstrations, which were suppressed by brutal force. The resulting information blackout, experts say, makes this one of the most severe internet disruptions in history, exceeding Egypt’s 2011 Tahrir Square outage.
A government spokesperson stated the international internet would be offline at least until Nowruz (Persian New Year) on March 20. In practice, the shutdown lasted significantly longer.
Government Pleased with Connectivity Restrictions
Experts note the current situation is not a problem for Iranian authorities but a demonstration of their effective strategy. Analyst Rashidi stated: “It appears the authorities are satisfied with the current level of internet connectivity and believe this type of shutdown helped them control the situation.”
Chinese Technology and Middlebox Censorship
Researchers from Project Ainita and the Outline Foundation suggest the whitelist system was enabled by Chinese-exported technology. They remain anonymous due to Iranian repression of digital rights researchers.
Key to the system are “middleboxes” – high-performance devices installed directly on network cables, enabling monitoring and manipulation of internet traffic. These systems can be scaled to allow state-wide inspection, blocking sites, restricting VPNs, and tracking individual users.
National Internet: A Closed Ecosystem
The second pillar of the strategy is Iran’s national internet, accessible only within the country. It allows users to access a limited selection of regime-created sites and apps: local messaging services, search engines, navigation apps, and a Netflix-like streaming platform. This system is constantly monitored and almost entirely disconnected from the global internet.
Iran began developing its national internet in 2009, following post-election protests. Authorities first briefly shut down the internet and realized complete disconnection imposed high costs. By 2012, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace was formed to systematically plan the division. Over the next decade, authorities forced companies, banks, and service providers to relocate critical infrastructure to Iran, offering tax breaks to compliant entities and blocking others from operating.
Economic Impact and System Durability
Today, the national internet operates continuously and is the primary online access for most Iranians. It will likely continue developing but remains closed to foreign users and disconnected from the global internet.
A former U.S. State Department official assessed that Iran has recently demonstrated internet control capabilities exceeding many other authoritarian regimes. However, the question remains whether such digital isolation will prove sustainable.
“The digital rights community rightly raises alarms. However, the consequences will be truly severe for Iranian authorities, who will be held accountable for the damage inflicted on their economy,” an expert stated.
