Internet shutdown in Iran costing already ailing economy $4.3 million a day: officials

Iran’s already ailing economy is suffering another blow amid the most comprehensive internet shutdown in its history, with officials warning Tuesday that it is costing the country $2.8 million to $4.3 million each day.

Ehsan Chitsaz, a deputy minister of communications and information technology, said that since the internet shutdown began on Jan. 8, the country was losing millions-a-day in lost commerce revenue.

NetBlocks, an internet monitoring group analyzing the effects of the shutdown, warned that the cost could actually be as high as $37 million a day.

Iran’s ailing economy is losing millions of dollars a day amid a nationwide internet shutdown, which shows no sign of letting up. AFP via Getty Images

The Islamic Republic launched a nationwide communications shutdown on Jan.