Iran has one more time taken a drastic step: cut off citizens from the Internet. It is officially about tackling threats from Israeli hackers, but according to independent observers, it is besides a way to censor information and suppress social discontent. 2 renowned companies monitoring global network activity – Kentinc and Netblocks – noted crucial restrictions on access to the network in Iran, covering both mobile networksand VPN services.
Official reason: cyber attacks from Israel
According to the Iranian government spokesperson, Fatemeh Mohajeranithe actions are of a nature ‘temporary, deliberate and controlled’. According to the authorities, the aim is to guarantee ‘network stability’ and the protection of citizens against "enemy" against the digital infrastructure of the state.
Restrictions began on Tuesday, June 17, 2025But the climax came a day later. Data Reuters, Iran's Ministry of Communications announced in state media the decision to extend restrictions to the full country, citing "the threat of the lives and property of citizens by the enemy".
Wave of hacker attacks: banks, cryptocurrency exchange, individual data
A hacker group is behind the escalation of digital actions Predators Sparrow, known for erstwhile attacks on Iranian infrastructure and openly sympathetic with Israel. respective spectacular attacks have occurred in fresh days:
- 16 June: Bank attack Sepah, disrupting access to accounts, cash withdrawals and card payments.
- 17 June: an attack on cryptocurrency stock Nobitixcompleted theft of digital assets worth $81.7 million and publication announcement platform origin code.
It was after these incidents that Iran decided to drastically restrict digital communication, blocking besides popular communicators and applications.
WhatsApp targeting propaganda
Iranian State television called on the locals to Delete WhatsApp App, accusing her of giving data to Israeli intelligence. WhatsApp powerfully deniedensuring that it does not supply information to any government and acts in accordance with the privacy rules applicable globally.
Internet cut off from the world: deficiency of information and warnings
Experts from Kentinc and Netblocks inform that net blockade seriously threatens the safety of residentswho cannot receive current crisis warnings. Users complain of:
- lack of access to abroad information services,
- problems with logging into banks and online payments,
- no communication with loved ones abroad,
- failure of medical and administrative services based on online systems.
Paranoia or control? Experts see the political objective
Although the Iranian government presents the blockade as a form of defence, cybersecurity experts stress that it may besides be preventive action against possible social protests. akin actions had already taken place in November 2019, erstwhile during anti-government demonstrations due to Fuel price increasesthe authorities have introduced six-day net blackout.
This time the situation has an additional dimension – Military escalation between Iran and Israel.
Background: Network and Reality War
It's been going on since Friday. new conflict phase Between Tehran and Tel Aviv. Israel did attack on Iranian military and atomic targets, including uranium enrichment centre in Natanz. Iran responded rocket fire Israel. Both sides are accusing each another of destabilising the region and threatening the civilian population.
There are voices calling for deescalation, however, the current actions, both military and digital, indicate further tightening of the conflict.
Iran follows Russia: National net alternatively of Global?
Cutting off the global network resembles the strategy utilized in Russiawhere the task Runet to make autonomous Internet, independent of western servers and infrastructure. Iran is developing a akin task named National Information Network (NIN)which allows the government to full control the content and flow of information.
In both Iran and Russia, specified actions safety reasonsbut in practice lead to information society isolation and restrictions on freedom of expression.
Perspective: What next?
If the current escalation of the conflict is not halted, Internet blocks can be extended or full formalised. For Iranian citizens, this means an even bigger cut off from the world, hard access to education, medical services, distant work and information.
In the long term, the country can decision towards full digital autarkia, strengthening control of citizens and limiting their access to independent sources of knowledge.
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Iran cut off the Internet. Citizens without access to accounts, information and services
