Short Wave Iran offline: How a government can turn off the internet
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Jan 26, 2026 
Alberto Dainotti, a computer scientist who studies internet infrastructure, explains how networks, routers and centralized systems allow a government to cut connectivity. Amanda Meng, a social scientist with IOTA, discusses monitoring outages and how measurement reveals changes like selective whitelisting and satellite workarounds. Multiple short conversations explore detection methods, evolving shutdown tactics, and real-world harms.
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Sharp Drop Marks Near-Total Shutdown
- IOTA's measurements showed Iran's connectivity fall off sharply starting January 8, indicating a near-complete shutdown.
- The drop reflects a loss of global internet reach rather than just slower service.
A Protester's Trance-Like Description
- A protester described cities as "in a trance-like state" with people staying home and fear everywhere.
- That person is among the roughly 3% staying online via Starlink despite legal risk.
Centralization Enables Countrywide Cutoffs
- Alberto Dainotti stresses centralization determines how easily a government can sever connectivity.
- Countries with centralized telecoms, like Iran, can more readily implement nationwide shutdowns.