Iran shuts down internet access amid conflict with Israel

In Iran, the government's recent actions have severely restricted internet access amidst ongoing conflict with Israel. Since June 12, 2025, the Iranian authorities initiated a throttling of internet bandwidth as part of efforts to counter perceived Israeli cyberattacks. This move has caused widespread outages, leaving many citizens without connectivity for over 12 hours at a time when reliable communication is critical due to military airstrikes targeting Iran. The situation has prompted citizens to seek information about air strikes and family safety, yet they face challenges in accessing necessary telecommunications. The Iranian government has advised citizens to delete popular social media messaging apps like WhatsApp, asserting that foreign entities have weaponized them for surveillance purposes. Citizens, however, remain skeptical, as WhatsApp has refuted these claims. Telecommunications reports indicate that some Iranian cellular carriers effectively went offline on June 19, disconnecting large swathes of the country from global internet access and heightening an already tense environment. The disruptions coincide with air assaults on Iranian facilities, which have escalated fears and prompted emergency responses nationwide. Despite the government's assurances that a national internet service will remain operational, the internal bandwidth is reportedly slated for an 80 percent reduction. Such limitations may inhibit the populace's ability to communicate freely and remain informed during a critical conflict phase. As tensions have escalated since mid-June, external observers note that the implication of regional cyber warfare could lead to retaliatory actions against perceived adversaries, notably the United States, amid rising threats linked to malicious cyber activities tied to the Iranian state. International observers are closely monitoring the situation, especially given that groups like NetBlocks are tracking the significant decrease in internet traffic from Iran. The Iranian authorities have a history of censoring online content, creating a domestic network meant for more efficient control. With this recent crackdown, not only has it exacerbated an existing tension with Israel, but it has also illuminated the fundamental right to communication as a potential flashpoint for civil unrest within the country. As the conflict develops, many remain concerned about the broader consequences on civil liberties and the implications for international cybersecurity dynamics.