The recent coordinated strikes by Israel and the United States against a military compound in Tehran have triggered an immediate and drastic response from the Iranian government: a near-total internet blackout. This isn’t a new tactic; Iran has a history of severing digital connections during crises, citing security concerns while effectively silencing dissent and controlling the narrative.
The situation is particularly dire for journalists, activists, and citizens trying to document events on the ground. Their options are stark: navigate the restrictions at the risk of arrest, or remain silent while the world is intentionally blinded to reality. As one Tehran-based journalist, Mostafa Zadeh, explained, “The right of information is always the first casualty when the government prioritizes its security objectives.”
Recurring Blackouts and Escalating Repression
This blackout follows a pattern. During the 2022 protests sparked by Mahsa Amini’s death, authorities repeatedly throttled or cut internet access to disrupt communication. Similar shutdowns occurred during the 2025 war between Iran and Israel, leaving families disconnected and the outside world unaware of unfolding events.
The stakes have risen sharply. Sweeping legal changes introduced in late 2025 now carry the death penalty for anyone accused of espionage, especially if linked to Israel or the United States. This chilling effect has pushed many journalists to abandon high-risk methods, even those with access to satellite tools like Starlink, fearing detection by Iranian intelligence.
Workarounds and Risks
Despite the danger, some journalists and activists continue to operate. Methods include encrypted messaging apps (Signal, Threema), international calls, SMS, and smuggling encrypted videos out of the country. Human rights organizations have even smuggled Starlink terminals into Iran to provide dissidents with real-time reporting capabilities, though this comes with extreme risk.
The reliance on satellite imagery from commercial providers (Maxar Technologies, Planet Labs) and the European Space Agency is growing. By comparing before-and-after photos, reporters can assess destruction, but verifying casualty numbers remains impossible without on-the-ground sources. One journalist, Baqir Salehi, emphasized that “That distinction… is a line I refuse to cross.”
The Price of Staying Connected
The effort to bypass the blackout is immense. Teams outside the restricted zone analyze official footage frame-by-frame, geolocating visual markers to confirm military events. Every file is cryptographically hashed to prove authenticity, and data is fragmented for covert transmission.
The risks are escalating. Amnesty International reported over 1,000 executions in Iran in 2025, more than double the previous year. At least 15 individuals have been executed for alleged spying for Israel since hostilities began. Activists running Starlink operations must relocate constantly to avoid detection by the Basij paramilitary force, where capture can mean death.
Erfan Khorshidi, who leads a human rights organization operating in Iran, acknowledged the danger: “My biggest concern today is that a team member might be arrested while traveling from Tehran to another city to use Starlink devices.” Yet, he added, “But it’s what we can do to maintain the flow of information.”
The Iranian government’s systematic suppression of information reflects a broader trend of authoritarian regimes using digital control as a weapon against dissent. The situation in Iran raises critical questions about the future of journalism in conflict zones and the lengths to which governments will go to silence opposition.
The extreme measures taken by Iran underscore a fundamental truth: when regimes prioritize security above all else, the free flow of information is the first casualty.
