As the conflict between Israel and Iran enters its second week, many Iranians are experiencing widespread blackouts in communications, making it difficult to connect with friends and family, both locally and internationally.
Despite warnings from the Israeli military shared via online Persian channels, civilians remain unaware of when or where future attacks might occur. If a missile strikes, there’s a significant delay before they can confirm the safety of their loved ones.
This ongoing situation has prompted frantic activity on various social media platforms as people attempt to grasp what’s happening during this significant upheaval in a nation of over 80 million.
Activists perceive these communication disruptions as a tactic of psychological warfare, particularly in a nation familiar with government control over information and targeted internet outages during protests.
“The Iranian regime exercises strict control over information dissemination,” said Malwa Fatahta, who leads advocacy efforts for a Berlin-based digital rights organization. “They aim to manage the narrative and maintain their power.”
War with Israel Intensifies Information Control
The latest escalation began with an Israeli airstrike on June 13, targeting top military officials and nuclear scientists.
Reports indicate at least 657 fatalities in Iran, including 263 civilians, with over 2,000 individuals injured, as per a Washington-based human rights organization.
In retaliation, Israeli estimates suggest Iran has launched around 450 missiles and 1,000 drones, most of which have been intercepted by Israeli defense systems. However, at least 24 people in Israel have lost their lives, with hundreds more injured.
Israeli citizens receive consistent updates and guidance from authorities, showcasing a stark contrast in information access compared to that of Iranian citizens during the past week of warfare.
The Iranian government recently claimed that “Israel is the aggressor in this conflict.”
In a social media post, Iran’s foreign ministry—a platform largely inaccessible to many citizens—accused Israel of restricting foreign media coverage of missile strikes. They added that Iran intended to organize a global press tour to highlight what they termed Israeli war crimes. Iran is known for its severe restrictions on journalists, ranking among the leading nations that detain them.
On Friday, internet advocacy group NetBlocks.org reported that Iran had experienced a 36-hour disconnection from the global internet, with connectivity currently hovering at a mere fraction of normal levels.
Some individuals manage to stay online via virtual private networks, but reliable access remains scarce.
Limited Information Accessibility
Those fortunate enough to have intermittent internet access have turned into crucial lifelines for others, seeking to check on elderly family members and those who have fled Tehran.
Most Iranians can currently only check the state-run website for information.
Meanwhile, government-controlled media offers sporadic updates that focus primarily on the impact of strikes on Israel rather than the situation within Iran.
This lack of information amid recent technological advancements seems quite surprising, especially considering more direct battles occurring in other regions like Ukraine and Gaza.
Such communication policies are viewed as powerful tools that can shift public sentiment and influence the international community’s perspective on ongoing conflicts.
They also serve to motivate actions among world leaders pressured by public opinion and online discourse.
Medi Yahyanejad, an advocate for Internet freedom in Iran, notes that the regime seeks to maintain a robust image, portraying only narratives of their own strength against Israel, bolstered by advanced weaponry.
“Perhaps they’re worried the internet could amplify public anxiety about the situation,” Yahyanejad suggested. “The Israeli response might aim to exploit this vulnerability, revealing the Iranian government’s fragility which could lead to unrest among the populace.”
