Iranians are currently facing serious internet access issues due to deliberate slowing down of internet connections by authorities as part of their strategy to combat cyber attacks. Many social networks and messaging apps have been blocked for years, and now VPN services are also difficult to access, further limiting communication and access to information, especially amid the Israeli-Iranian conflict. Authorities urge citizens not to use foreign apps and warn against enemy psychological propaganda. This situation is part of the broader context of the conflict between Iran and Israel, which includes rocket attacks and military operations.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning sources emphasize the impact of internet restrictions on ordinary Iranian citizens, highlighting the suppression of free communication and access to information. They often criticize the Iranian government for using internet slowdowns as a tool of censorship and control during a time of conflict, stressing the human rights implications.
Center: Center-leaning sources report the facts of the internet slowdowns as a security measure by Iranian authorities to counter cyber attacks. They provide balanced coverage of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, noting the government’s justification for the internet restrictions while acknowledging the difficulties faced by citizens.
Right: Right-leaning sources focus on the Iranian government’s narrative of a ‘hybrid war’ and the necessity of internet slowdowns to protect national security. They highlight the military aspects of the conflict with Israel and portray the internet restrictions as a justified response to external threats and cyber warfare.
