ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Iran has been largely offline for more than 36 hours according to an internet freedom monitor as authorities defend sweeping internet restrictions imposed to counter alleged Israeli military use of communication networks.
“Iran has now been disconnected from the global internet for 36 hours; live metrics show national connectivity remains in the low few percent of ordinary levels with only a handful of users able to connect via multi-hop VPNs,” the UK-based NetBlocks said on X early Friday morning.
Iran on Wednesday imposed “temporary restrictions” on the internet as the conflict with Israel intensified, state media reported.
“In light of the continuing special conditions in the country, and considering the aggressor’s misuse of the country’s communication network for military purposes… by decision of the competent authorities, temporary restrictions have been imposed on users’ access to the internet,” Iran’s Ministry of Communications said in a statement carried by the state news agency IRNA.
On Wednesday, NetBlocks reported that Iran was facing a “near-total national internet blackout.”
On Thursday, videos circulating on social media appeared to show Iranian state television was briefly hacked and footage of the 2022 Jin, Jiyan, Azadi protests aired in place of regular programming. The demonstrations were sparked by the death of Jina (Mahsa) Amini, a young Kurdish woman detained for allegedly violating the country’s hijab laws.
Earlier in the week, Iranian authorities warned citizens against using WhatsApp and Instagram, claiming Israel was using user data to target the country.
Tensions between the regional foes escalated last week after Israeli strikes targeted military and nuclear-linked sites, killing several senior Iranian commanders and scientists. Iran responded with retaliatory attacks, and the two sides have exchanged daily salvos.
At least 24 civilians have been killed in Israel and 224 in Iran, with nearly 600 Israelis and 1,300 Iranians injured, according to official figures.
Israel justified its attack, saying that Iran is close to obtaining a nuclear weapon, a charge Tehran denies.
