Iran’s plan for ‘extreme digital isolation’ sparks global alarm

Iranian authorities are pursuing a sweeping plan to permanently cut the country off from the global internet and confine most citizens to a restricted domestic network, according to digital rights organizations monitoring the situation. The plan emerged as the government maintains a near-total internet shutdown that began on January 8 amid nationwide protests, marking one of the most severe blackouts in history.

The strategy represents a dramatic escalation in the Iranian government's approach to controlling information flow. Rather than temporary shutdowns imposed during periods of unrest, authorities are now building the technical infrastructure for what researchers call the "Barracks Internet"—a closed system under the control of Iran's armed forces that would operate independently from global networks.

Background

Iran has a long history of restricting internet access during times of political upheaval. The most significant previous shutdown occurred during the 2009 anti-regime protests, when authorities imposed a wholesale blackout that revealed the enormous costs of disconnecting the nation. That experience prompted officials to begin planning a permanent solution around 2012, according to researchers from digital rights organizations.

What distinguishes the current situation is the scale and permanence of the plan. Rather than simply cutting cables during emergencies, the Iranian government is now systematically implementing infrastructure changes designed to make global internet access impossible for ordinary citizens while maintaining connectivity only for government officials and select individuals deemed trustworthy by the regime.

"The internet blackout imposed on January 8 will last until at least the Iranian new year on March 20, but authorities are also implementing a confidential state project to transform the country's internet infrastructure into a 'Barracks Internet'" – Government monitoring reports

The current blackout, which began during the twelfth day of protests that erupted on December 28, has already demonstrated the government's willingness to impose extreme measures. Internet connectivity across the nation dropped to near zero, with monitoring organizations confirming a nationwide shutdown that limited communication at a critical moment when authorities were intensifying their crackdown on demonstrators.

Key Details

The Infrastructure Project

Government officials have taken concrete steps to implement the "Barracks Internet" project. These actions include collecting satellite dishes from private citizens, blocking access to Starlink terminals, jamming GPS signals to disrupt satellite internet connections, and orchestrating the quiet departure of foreign telecommunications companies from Iran.

The government also dismissed the CEO of Irancell, one of Iran's major communications firms, with reports suggesting he was accused of treason for delaying orders to cut connectivity. These personnel changes signal the regime's determination to remove obstacles to its digital isolation plan.

International cooperation appears to be part of the strategy. Reports indicate that Iran is coordinating the internet kill switch project with Huawei and China, suggesting the technical infrastructure may involve foreign expertise and technology.

Immediate Economic Impact

The current blackout has already caused significant economic damage. The private postal company Tipax saw its daily shipments plummet from approximately 32,000 to fewer than a few hundred following the complete internet shutdown. This collapse in logistics operations has resulted in direct unemployment for thousands of drivers and warehouse workers across the country.

A former United States State Department official acknowledged the severity of these economic consequences, warning that the impacts would be substantial and that Iranian authorities would bear responsibility for the economic harm inflicted on their own population.

The Human Cost

The blackout has coincided with a significant rise in reported deaths during the government's response to protests. Senior government and security sources speaking to Iran International reported that at least 12,000 people have been killed, with much of the killing carried out on January 8 and 9 during the internet shutdown. Human rights organizations have documented that the blackout is being used to mask the extent of violence against demonstrators.

Among those killed are at least 28 protesters and bystanders, including children, according to Amnesty International's documentation of events between December 31, 2025 and January 3, 2026. The organization has warned that security forces may have intensified their use of lethal force since the internet shutdown began, providing cover for violations that would otherwise be documented and reported.

What This Means

The implementation of a permanent "Barracks Internet" would represent an unprecedented level of digital isolation for a nation of nearly 90 million people. Unlike temporary shutdowns, a permanent system would prevent ordinary Iranians from accessing global information sources, communicating with people outside the country, or conducting international business.

The economic implications are severe. Iran's economy already faces significant challenges, and cutting off internet access would hamper business operations, reduce foreign investment, and limit Iranians' ability to participate in the global digital economy. The current blackout has already demonstrated these costs, with shipping companies, small businesses, and service providers suffering immediate losses.

Digital rights experts have described the plan as "plausible and terrifying," warning that if implemented, it would represent a new frontier in government control over information. The strategy goes beyond censorship or filtering—it would create a complete separation between Iran's digital infrastructure and the rest of the world.

Government officials have stated that the current internet blackout will continue until at least March 20, coinciding with the Iranian new year. However, the broader plan suggests that even when connectivity is partially restored, most Iranians will face a fundamentally different internet experience—one controlled entirely by the state with no access to global networks or unfiltered information.