Follow Us on Google
By Goli Innocent
Iranian authorities have begun warning citizens who attempt to bypass the country’s internet blackout, as the ongoing war with Israel and the United States continues to isolate the country from the outside world.
According to internet monitoring group NetBlocks, connectivity across Iran has dropped to about one per cent of its normal level, leaving millions of people unable to access news, navigation tools or basic communication platforms.
Despite the shutdown, some residents have managed to connect using VPNs. But many say they are now receiving warning messages from authorities threatening to block their phone lines and possibly refer them to judicial authorities if they continue accessing the global internet.
Other News
“If you repeatedly connect to the international internet in the coming days, your line will be blocked and necessary measures will be taken,” one of the warning messages said.
Residents in Tehran say the few connections that work are painfully slow, making normal communication difficult. One local resident told AFP that voice calls barely go through and voice notes fail to deliver, leaving text messages as the only reliable option.
The blackout was imposed last Saturday after Israel and the United States launched air strikes on Iran, attacks that have now stretched into a sixth day. The situation has also made it extremely difficult for journalists and families abroad to reach loved ones inside the country.
With most international services blocked, people are now relying on Iran’s limited domestic intranet or, in some cases, illegal satellite internet devices such as Starlink. But even these connections remain unstable, leaving many Iranians struggling to stay informed or contact relatives during the escalating conflict.
