Iran is currently grappling with widespread protests triggered by a severe economic crisis, including currency devaluation and inflation, prompting the regime to implement extensive internet shutdowns since early January 2026. These shutdowns, described as a "near-total" or "nationwide" blackout, are a potent tool for population control, aiming to limit opposition organizing and obscure international scrutiny of crackdowns. However, this strategy carries significant economic and political costs that Iran cannot afford indefinitely. Global internet monitor Netblocks estimates that internet shutdowns cost the Iranian economy over US$37 million daily. Previous disruptions, such as those during the 2022-23 Mahsa Amini protests, cost the economy an estimated US$1.6 billion due to blocking platforms like Instagram. The current blackout severely impacts small businesses, e-commerce, and digital payment systems, disrupting daily life and critical services like healthcare and banking. Socially, these blackouts create immense anxiety for Iranians, especially those with family abroad, and hinder access to essential information and navigation tools. While the regime has developed a "National Information Network