TEHRAN, June 18, 2025
Iran’s Internet Blackout: A Regime’s Desperate Play
The Iranian government is shutting down internet access nationwide, a move that could backfire as it tries to control the narrative amid escalating tensions.
- Iran has cut off the internet nationwide, dropping connectivity to a mere 3 percent.
- The government is attempting to control information flow and prevent coordination of any uprising.
- The move aims to protect the regime, but at the expense of the Iranian people.
Why is Iran disconnecting its people from the world? According to recent reports, Iran has implemented a nationwide internet shutdown, reducing connectivity to a shocking 3 percent. This drastic measure includes jamming satellite signals, a move designed to control the flow of information both within and outside the country. The aim? To protect the Islamic Republic at any cost, including the lives of its own citizens.
Much of Iran’s security apparatus is strategically located in residential areas. The regime, mirroring tactics used by Hamas, appears to be using its own people as human shields. During the ongoing conflict, Israel has been issuing warnings via the internet, urging Iranians to evacuate targeted zones to minimize casualties. These alerts, facilitated by Persian satellite networks broadcasting from the United States and the United Kingdom, serve a humanitarian purpose but also make it easier for Israel to strike military targets.
The Iranian government has asked people to ignore evacuation calls from Tehran. By controlling the messaging and footage, the regime hopes to portray any casualties as the fault of Israel. The goal is to potentially shift international diplomatic sentiment and erode support for the Jewish state.
The internet shutdown also has a psychological impact. Iranians at home and abroad rely on the internet to stay connected, offering a sense of normalcy amid the chaos. The blackout will undoubtedly amplify their wartime anxieties.
Beyond these immediate impacts, the government’s monopoly on information seeks to prevent any coordinated uprising. The idea of “regime change,” once taboo, is now a growing sentiment. Iranians are keenly aware that support for such change is strongest abroad, while the Islamic Republic is at its weakest. This awareness is a source of fear for the regime. The regime successfully utilized internet blackouts in 2009 and 2019. In 2017 and 2022, the regime reduced internet access and speed to prevent coordination among protestors. The regime is again resorting to this tactic, fearing an uprising.
Of utmost importance is the regime’s desire to prevent a sudden drop in morale among its security forces. Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei projects an image of strength. However, even the most biased observers recognize the war as a humiliation. Israeli fighters are operating with impunity, while Iran’s success rate in hitting Israel is dwindling.
Did you know? Iran’s actions reflect a growing desperation to control the narrative and suppress dissent, even as its military capabilities are questioned.
The Regime’s Vulnerabilities Exposed
Iran has fired 170 missiles at Israel each round, but since then, Israel has destroyed Iran’s launchers. The average launch rate has plummeted below 20 in recent days. The impact rate has likewise dropped. A regime that once boasted of a countdown to Israel’s destruction now faces an existential threat. Political analysts might call this “a very bad look.” Continued setbacks increase the risk of rebellion within the regime.
Two main reasons explain why the Iranian regime is desperate to prevent information from leaving Iran.
Firstly, it seeks to hide its military weakness from the international community. Deterrence depends on both capabilities and resolve. Iran’s military capabilities are often exaggerated. Foreign public opinion is wary of a war with Iran. However, the more the public learns about Iran’s vulnerabilities, the more concerns in the United States and Europe may ease.
Secondly, the regime is sensitive to messages of support for the war coming from average Iranians. The government is even arresting people for social media posts that support Israel in the middle of an existential war. The Islamic Republic has shown more concern for the lives of foreign combatants than it has for its own citizens.
