Disrupted Communications in Iran: Internet Blackout and State TV Hacks During the 2022 Protests
Demonstrations depicted by Iran's government-run television
In the heart of ongoing conflicts, the Iranian population navigates in a digital world heavily influenced by external forces. Recently, the regime's aggressive moves to disrupt the internet and phone connections have left the citizens starved for information. Simultaneously, images from the previous year's protests, which nearly toppled the ruling government, resurfaced on state television.
Reports suggest that Iranian state television has been a target of cyber-attacks. Presenters shared the news of program disruptions, as per Iranian media sources. "If you're encountering technical glitches or inappropriate messages on different channels, it's due to hostile jamming over satellite frequencies," a presenter mentioned, echoing what was circulating on social media. The footage appeared to confirm the hack, showcasing footage from the massive demonstrations that led the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protest movement in autumn 2022.
Political tensions have intensified between Iran and Israel. On a Monday, the Israeli military bombarded the central headquarters of the state broadcaster in Tehran, resulting in the deaths of two journalists and significant structural damage. Meanwhile, Iran's security forces imposed stringent internet restrictions, making phone connections challenging. However,state-controlled news channels continue to disseminate information, on both national television and social media platforms.
The restrictions on internet access were verified by real-time data from Netblocks, an organization known for monitoring internet shutdowns. Residents of Tehran confirm the internet outage via phone calls. According to the organization, Iran faced a near-total national internet blackout. The Iranian government imposed these limitations, claiming the move was necessary to curb the "misuse of the national communications network by the enemy aggressor for military purposes and to endanger the lives and property of innocent people"[3]. Access to communication within the country remains functional.
Sources:
- ntv.de, uzh/dpa
- The Guardian [1]
- Communications Ministry of Iran [3]
- NetBlocks [4]
- Cloudflare [5]
- Iran
- Israel War
- Israel
- Tehran
- Cyberattacks
- Propaganda
The European Union, in light of the ongoing war-and-conflicts in Iran, may find it necessary to further develop its common foreign and security policy, given the escalating political tensions between Iran and Israel. Furthermore, in the context of the current internet blackout in Iran, the distribution of general-news and countering state propaganda becomes particularly crucial for promoting transparency during times of unrest.
