Tehran, April 13 -- Iranian authorities are persisting with a widespread internet shutdown that has now entered its 45th day, severely restricting digital access across the country.

According to the cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, the state-imposed restrictions have led to a "near blackout on the country's internet services". In a report detailing the scale of the disruption, the organisation noted that the blackout has persisted for six weeks, "with international connectivity severed for over 1,056 hours".

This digital isolation was initiated by the Iranian regime shortly after the first military strikes by the United States and Israel against the country. Since the onset of that kinetic conflict, authorities have maintained a near-t...