How Iran's internet serves as lifeline despite censorship – DW – 06/18/2025

DW

4 hours ago

Using the internet in Iran has long meant navigating government restrictions, fake news and propaganda. But now, as parts of the country are cut off after Israeli airstrikes, many still use it to help their neighbors.
As fighting with Israel continues, many parts of Iran have little to no internet access. Even direct calls, including both mobile phones and landlines, often fail to connect.
"We live in a situation similar to total war," documentary filmmaker and photographer Pouria Nouri told DW from the Iranian capital, Tehran.
"There are explosions ringing through the city night and day. Military bases and strategic infrastructure are getting bombed, and the civilian death toll keeps rising."
The Israeli army launched large-scale attacks on Iran last Friday, June 13, with the declared goal of destroying Iran's nuclear program. The attacks hit Tehran and other parts of the country, crippling Iran's telecommunications. Iran responded by firing missiles on multiple Israeli cities.
Internet still viewed as public enemy in Iran
While images of targeted sites in Israel are difficult to find online, Iranians are publishing plenty of self-made videos showing the impact of Israeli missiles. Many Iranians are simply ignoring the security guidance issued by their officials, saying that the state is incapable of protecting the people.
"In Iran, the internet is being suppressed by the security apparatus, who see it as an enemy and want to control it," cybersecurity expert Amir Rashidi told DW.
Tehran gridlocked as thousands try to flee Israeli strikes
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Rashidi said that the internet is portrayed in Iran as a Western espionage tool, noting that Iranians urgently need internet access — "first and foremost as means of communication, to keep in touch with one another and find out how other people are doing."
The cybersecurity expert said that while people need to stay informed during the escalating conflict, "officials are doing the exact opposite and keep limiting internet access."
Doctors, firefighters, everyday people use internet to help their neighbors
For many years, Rashidi has pushed for protecting digital rights and civil society in the digital world. He says that his efforts seem to be bearing fruit in Iran.
"We can see that some Iranian start-ups have started to offer their services free of charge — including finding apartments outside Tehran or sharing information on VPN access, so people can still read the news," he told DW.
There are also people offering ride sharing for those seeking to leave the Iranian capital.
Other internet users, like photographer and travel writer Peyman Yazdani, are attempting to help in other ways.
"If you live abroad and your parents are in Tehran, and need groceries or someone needs to check up on them, send us a direct message," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "We can take care of the shopping or visits."
Watch: Israeli strike interrupts Iran state TV broadcast
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On Instagram, some doctors have published their phone numbers and offer medical consults, prescriptions and recommendations on Tehran pharmacies that still offer specific medications.
"There are still many elderly or disabled people remaining in the city," filmmaker Pouria told DW from Tehran. "In the poorer neighborhoods in the south there are still many people going to work."
Firefighters are posting photos of themselves on call, trying to reassure the public that they are not leaving the city. And despite the escalation and mounting death toll, no videos have surfaced showing looting or chaos on the streets.
Fake 'Starlink' apps used as bait
At the same time, Iranians are seeing a flood of false information online. Some claim that Israel is controlling apps such as WhatsApp or Instagram, others say that a simple app download is enough to use Starlink satellites for internet access.
"Those who want to use Starlink need a satellite dish to connect to the network," he told DW. "The apps spreading online now could be dangerous and used to spy on people."
There is also a lot of unverifiable information circulating among Iranians, including claims that the top religious and political leaders of the Islamic Republic have fled the country.
Regime challenged like never before
"The current situation in the digital space cannot be compared to the crises faced by security officials in the past, including the repeated nationwide protests," Hossein Kermani, the author of the 2025 book "Twitter activism in Iran," told DW.
In his scientific work, Kermani focuses on political communication in digital spaces and digitally-enforced propaganda under authoritative regimes.
"Unlike the protests, which sprung up inside the country, we are now seeing a transnational crisis," the researcher told DW. "It is no longer about controlling their own population, but about confronting an external opponent."
"While the regime can call upon years of experience in suppressing protests and pro-democracy movements, it does not have such experience in dealing with an external conflict. The security apparatus seems to be overwhelmed and still in shock."
Fear deepens in Tehran as Israel targets Iran's capital
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At the same time, there are propaganda videos spreading among regime loyalists, trying to downplay attacks by the Israeli military.
Famous Islamist preacher and conspiracy theorist, Ali Akbar Raefipour, is playing a key role in those propaganda efforts.
"The target audience for those videos are members of the political system, whose morale apparently needs a boost," Kermani said.
"The regime is currently spreading targeted disinformation about its alleged strength, aiming to psychologically manipulate society, so that members of the regime don't turn their backs on it."
This article was originally published in German.