By Matija Šerić
The conflict between Iran and Israel has turned into a full-scale, ruthless war in which no means are off-limits. As in every war, it is the innocent—those with no ties to politics—who suffer the most. Although Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” was initially presented as targeting military and nuclear facilities, as well as generals and scientists, it quickly became clear that civilian casualties were also part of the strategy. And unfortunately, those casualties are far from negligible.
According to reliable sources, as of June 20, at least 657 people in Iran—including 263 civilians—have been killed, with more than 2,000 wounded. In retaliation, Iran has reportedly launched at least 450 missiles (some of them hypersonic) and over 1,000 drones at Israel. Despite Israel’s Iron Dome intercepting the majority of the projectiles and drones, at least 25 people have been killed and more than 2,500 injured.
The Shutdown of a Nation’s Lifeline
One of the most damaging consequences of the war—aside from the tragic loss of life—is the near-total collapse of internet access across Iran. Since Wednesday, June 18, the Islamic Republic has been virtually cut off from the rest of the world. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks.org reported that, as of Wednesday evening, only a small percentage of the Iranian population still had internet access, and that mostly via private networks.
It’s not just that Iranians can’t connect with the outside world—the far more pressing issue is that they can’t reach their own loved ones. The vast majority of Iran’s 91 million citizens are unable to find out whether their family, friends, or colleagues are alive. Moreover, they are deprived of crucial real-time information, such as warnings of impending Israeli airstrikes, drone attacks, or missile barrages.
Smartphones Rendered Useless
With Iran cut off from the internet, communication apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, Viber, and Telegram are down. More critically, online banking, GPS and navigation systems, smart traffic infrastructure, and numerous business communication tools have been disrupted. Even SMS messaging is barely functioning. It’s astonishing how limited the flow of information has become, given the technological advances of recent decades. Without the internet, smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets are practically useless. The internet is the “fuel” that powers modern communication tools.
As a result, some Iranians have called on tech mogul Elon Musk to enable internet access in Iran via Starlink, in a move similar to what he did for Ukraine.
Israel’s airstrike hits Iranian state TV
Iran Cuts Off Internet: A Preemptive Move Amid Rising Tensions with Israel
In a surprising twist, Iran’s near-total internet blackout wasn’t caused by Israeli cyberattacks—but was instead a deliberate move by the Iranian government itself. On Thursday, Tasnim News Agency, closely aligned with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), published an article calling for a complete internet shutdown across the country. The article described the measure as necessary “to disrupt enemy cyberattacks and drone operations.”
Tightening Control Under the Pretext of Security
Critics argue that the regime in Tehran intentionally cut off internet access to tighten its grip on the population through information control and to prevent the outbreak of anti-government unrest. Many believe the blackout is meant to shield the public from witnessing the full extent of the damage inflicted by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). This explanation, critics say, has merit. It’s not the first time Iran has resorted to restricting internet access: similar actions were taken during the Mahsa Amini protests in the fall of 2022 and again during the 2019 nationwide demonstrations triggered by economic hardship.
A Tool to Suppress Armed Uprising
The internet is a powerful mobilization tool—capable of rallying people either in support of or in opposition to a regime. This was clearly demonstrated during the Arab Spring and the various “Color Revolutions” around the world. But while the internet is influential, it’s not omnipotent. The global community watches the suffering in Gaza unfold in real-time, yet this hasn’t stopped Israel’s military campaign, which continues to claim a high number of civilian lives.
On June 13, at the outset of Israel’s offensive against Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly urged the Iranian people to rise up against what he called the “oppressive” regime. The move suggested that Israel—and possibly Mossad—was counting on igniting internal dissent as part of its strategy, much like what foreign actors attempted in Egypt, Libya, Syria, and elsewhere. But with the internet shut down, any such uprising becomes exponentially more difficult to coordinate. Iran’s government, in effect, acted preemptively.
A Harsh But Strategic Measure
“We have already stated that if necessary, we will shift to a national internet and restrict access to the global network. Security is our top priority, and we are witnessing cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure and banking systems,” said government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani. She added: “Many hostile drones are operated and navigated via the internet, and a large volume of information is exchanged through it. A crypto exchange has also been hacked. Taking all this into account, we have decided to impose internet restrictions.”
Whether or not the decision was also intended to prevent potential unrest, it is clear that Iran’s government sees the move as a necessary step to protect national infrastructure—military systems, energy grids, and communications networks—from cyber warfare during a time of heightened conflict. The blackout also serves to block potential infiltration by foreign intelligence agencies seeking to exploit the chaos.
Assigning Blame: Cause or Consequence?
Ultimately, it’s important to acknowledge that this extreme measure is a reaction to the Israeli assault, not a standalone act of repression. Were it not for Israel’s aggressive military strikes against a sovereign state, there would have been no need for Iran’s drastic response. As uncomfortable as the decision may seem at first glance, it may prove to be strategically beneficial in the long run—minimizing chaos, thwarting foreign interference, and containing panic among the population.
Pro-Israel Media Narrative Worldwide
Furthermore, on Friday, June 20, the Iranian government accused Israel of conducting a media campaign against truth and human conscience. On the social media platform X, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted that Israel is preventing foreign media from reporting on the rocket and ballistic attacks on Iran. This claim is partially accurate. Foreign media extensively cover the damage inflicted on Tel Aviv and Beersheba but show little interest in cities like Tabriz, Isfahan, Kermanshah, Qom, or Ahvaz. In its statement, the Iranian government announced plans to organize “global journalistic tours to expose Israeli war crimes.” Such efforts could shape the media narrative in their favor.
Iran’s airstrike hits Tel Aviv
The Lucky Few with Internet Access
A small number of fortunate individuals who have found ways to access the internet are helping those who cannot. They assist both acquaintances and strangers in locating loved ones and people who have fled their homes. The only official internet access available to Iranians at present is limited to some websites within the Islamic Republic. Additionally, Iranians can use domestic mobile applications such as Rubika. However, this type of internet service remains quite slow. Iranian state television, radio stations, and print media provide brief reports on domestic events, mostly focusing on damage caused by Iranian rocket and drone strikes on Israel.
Tehran Empties Out, But Situation Remains Under Control
According to reports from Iran, a large number of Tehran residents have fled the city fearing devastating (American) airstrikes. In recent days, long lines of cars leaving the capital and extended queues at gas stations have been observed. Currently, the city of about nine million people is nearly deserted. However, not everyone has left, as many have nowhere else to go. No place in Iran today is completely safe.
Despite air raids and the internet blackout, life continues largely as usual, and the country has not yet faced shortages of consumer goods. This could change if the war intensifies and prolongs. Given the regime-supporting rallies in many cities and large public prayers on Friday (despite the threat of air attacks), it appears unlikely that the Shiite theocratic regime is under serious threat from its own people. There remains hope that the war will subside and that internet access along with other benefits of peace will return to Iranian households.
