As relentless airstrikes shake Tehran, Iranian citizens find themselves fighting a two-front battle: surviving the physical devastation of an escalating war and navigating a severe, state-imposed information blackout. Since the conflict erupted on February 28, the government has severely restricted internet access, leaving millions isolated from the outside world.
On Thursday evening, Tehran was subjected to a heavy wave of attacks. Residents reported low-flying fighter jets and massive explosions echoing across the city. By early Friday morning, the Israeli military confirmed it had executed targeted strikes "in the heart of Tehran," specifically aiming at the "infrastructure of the Iranian regime."
The geopolitical landscape remains highly volatile. U.S. President Donald Trump recently postponed his ultimatum to destroy Iran's energy facilities—a threat made in response to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. However, with thousands of U.S. troops now deployed to the Middle East, a ground offensive against Iran has not been ruled out. Conversely, Tehran claimed to have launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Thursday, targeting Israel and U.S. bases across several Gulf states. Iranian state television continues to broadcast messages assuring the public that the nation is on the verge of defeating its enemies and ending the war.
Despite the government's narrative of imminent victory, domestic trust in state broadcasting has cratered. "We don't watch state TV anymore, and I hardly know anyone who still does," shared one Tehran resident in a secure chat group. Another added, "They only broadcast for themselves and their supporters."
Statistics highlight this stark reality. According to a June 2025 survey by the Iranian Students Polling Agency conducted before the current war, only 12.5% of citizens relied on the state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), for news. This is a dramatic plunge from 51% in 2017. A massive 50% budget increase granted to IRIB in March 2025 has seemingly failed to rebuild public trust.
To bypass the digital blockade, Iranians are turning to foreign Persian-language media, international outlets, and officially banned social networks like Instagram, which boasts around 24 million local users. With traditional internet access cut off, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have become a lifeline, though they now frequently require satellite internet systems like Starlink to function. This desperation has spawned a lucrative black market, with VPN access selling for up to ten times the standard price.
However, utilizing satellite internet carries immense risks. The Ministry of Intelligence has already confiscated hundreds of Starlink systems across various regions. Internet expert Keyvan Samadi explained that Starlink devices emit signals to connect to satellites. Security forces are utilizing specialized tracking technology and radio equipment to pinpoint the approximate locations of these signals. Media reports indicate that hundreds of citizens have been arrested in multiple cities for attempting to access the open internet.
The human cost of this war, initiated by U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, continues to mount alongside civilian casualties and widespread destruction. Yet, many Iranians describe the internet blackout as the most severe psychological burden they currently face.
Despite closed businesses and deepening financial ruin, citizens continue to spend exorbitant amounts on VPNs. The inability to communicate with family members who have fled the major cities, combined with a terrifying uncertainty about the immediate physical dangers in their own neighborhoods, has created an unbearable atmosphere of anxiety and isolation.
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