In a bold move to counter mounting cyber attacks, the Iranian government has imposed a nationwide shutdown of internet and telephone services, citing the need to protect critical communication networks from alleged Israeli cyber intrusions. The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology described the blackout as a temporary but necessary measure to safeguard the country’s digital infrastructure amid escalating hostilities.
The decision, reported by the semi-official Tasnim news agency, comes as tensions between Iran and Israel deepen not only on the battlefield but also in cyberspace. Both nations have increasingly engaged in cyber offensives aimed at disrupting each other’s infrastructure, compromising essential services, and targeting key individuals, signalling a new front in the ongoing conflict.
Since Wednesday afternoon, Iranians have experienced near-total disconnection from the outside world, with mobile phone lines and domestic landlines becoming largely inaccessible to international calls. While some limited access to domestic websites and services remains available, the government has offered few specifics on which platforms continue to operate under these restrictions.
Observers note that this blackout is also fuelled by fears that the United States may soon escalate its involvement in the conflict, prompting Tehran to take preemptive steps to protect its communication channels from further sabotage.
The shutdown represents a significant disruption to everyday life for millions of Iranians, complicating communication both within the country and abroad. It also highlights the increasing role of cyber warfare as a key element in the broader geopolitical struggle unfolding across the Middle East. As the conflict escalates, digital battlegrounds are becoming as critical as physical ones in shaping the future of regional security.
