Internet outage in Iran as US-Israeli offensive escalates
Widespread internet outage in Iran
NetBlocks, an organization specializing in monitoring digital communications globally, announced a near-total internet blackout across Iran on Saturday. This alarming development coincides with reports of a large-scale US-Israeli military offensive against targets within Iranian territory, bringing the region to the brink of open conflict.
In a social media post, the organization explained that live network data shows Iran is now in a state of “near-total internet blackout.” It noted that these stringent measures closely resemble those imposed during previous periods of military tension, reflecting the scale of the current crisis. Internet shutdowns are a tactic frequently employed by Iranian authorities to control the flow of information, prevent the spread of news, or stifle internal movements during major crises and popular protests.
Background to the attacks and military escalation
The internet outage coincided with news of US strikes on Iran, as Israel announced it had carried out attacks targeting the capital, Tehran, and other Iranian cities. Eyewitnesses and journalists reported hearing loud explosions in Tehran on Saturday morning, with plumes of thick smoke rising over various parts of the capital. The Israeli Defense Ministry described its operations as a “preemptive strike,” declaring a state of emergency across the country, indicating its readiness for a possible Iranian response.
A historical context of tension and covert wars
This escalation did not occur in a vacuum; rather, it is the culmination of decades of hostility and tension between Iran on one side, and Israel and the United States on the other. Iran and Israel have long been engaged in a “shadow war” that has included cyberattacks, targeting of commercial vessels, assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, and tit-for-tat strikes through proxies in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon. The Iranian nuclear program is the core point of contention, with Israel considering it an existential threat, while Iran insists on its peaceful nature. This state of persistent hostility has made the Middle East a perpetual flashpoint, ripe for ignition at any direct confrontation.
Potential impacts at the regional and international levels
This direct attack has serious repercussions that extend far beyond Iran's borders. Domestically, the internet blackout isolates the Iranian people from the outside world, preventing them from communicating and documenting events on the ground. Regionally, these strikes threaten to ignite a wider war that could draw in other parties, including Iran's allies in the region, potentially destabilizing neighboring countries. Internationally, this escalation raises serious concerns about the stability of global energy supplies, as a significant portion of the world's oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which is controlled by Iran. It also places immense pressure on diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the crisis and preventing it from spiraling out of control.
