Iran Restricts Internet Access Amid Escalating Conflict with Israel

In an effort to limit Israel’s capacity for cyberwarfare, Iran has begun throttling internet access for its citizens and plans to disconnect entirely from the global internet by Tuesday night.

Fateme Mohajerani, a government spokesperson, said during a recent television broadcast that the speed reduction is “temporary, targeted, and controlled, aimed at countering cyberattacks,” according to machine translation.

The announcements come amid the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel, which intensified following Israel’s attack on the country on June 12th. Reports of internet outages have surged, with civilians claiming they have been unable to access essential telecommunications services, including messaging apps, maps, and sometimes the internet itself. Cloudflare reported that two major Iranian cellular carriers effectively went offline on Tuesday, and The New York Times reports that even VPNs, commonly used by Iranians to access banned sites like Facebook and Instagram, have become increasingly difficult to reach.

Additionally, the Iranian government is urging citizens to delete WhatsApp, one of the country’s most popular messaging platforms, asserting that it poses a security risk during this period of heightened tensions.

As the situation evolves, many Iranians are seeking alternative communication methods; however, the government’s restrictions are complicating efforts to maintain contact with the outside world. The implications of these actions are significant, affecting not only personal communications but also access to information and news.

Reports indicate that the Iranian government is monitoring internet usage more closely, raising concerns about privacy and freedom of expression. Activists and human rights organizations have condemned these measures, arguing that they infringe on fundamental human rights and restrict citizens’ ability to communicate freely.

The international community is observing the situation closely. Many are advocating for a return to normalcy and the restoration of internet access for civilians, highlighting the importance of communication during crises.

For more information on the ongoing conflict and its implications, please refer to Read the full story at The Verge..