‘It's like being walled in': young Iranians break through internet blackout
Iran remains under a near-total internet shutdown, severely limiting access to information. A group of young Iranians are, however, working non-stop to breech the blackout to ensure their voices go out to the outside world.
'We can't use VPNs any more. To get around this internet blackout, we are using special proxy links, essentially 'secret tunnels' that route messages through servers outside Iran,' said Amir, adding that he has managed to build a system to give proxies to his friends.
'These links are a part of one of the app's features […] they route Telegram traffic from an internal server. Each of them does this for a few hours and then fails. So I constantly try to find new ones to send to my folks.'
The Iranian government shut down access to the internet, accusing Israel of exploiting the network for military purposes. Local sources told the Guardian no one has access to the internet except correspondents working for vetted foreign media.
Domestic messaging apps continue to work, but young Iranians have little faith in their security.
Amir said: 'We have domestic apps, but they're bullshit. The government uses every opportunity it gets to spy on us, especially student leaders.'
Last week, Amnesty International called on the authorities to lift the communications blackout, stating it 'prevents people from finding safe routes, accessing life-saving resources and staying informed'.
Another student leader, Leila*, 22, who lives in Abbas Abad in north-central Tehran, said she only managed to reconnect after receiving help from abroad. 'My boyfriend in Europe sent me configuration links via text. Without that I would still be completely cut off. The internet suddenly works for a few minutes here and there, but goes off before I can use any websites.'
The blackout not only severed contact with the outside world, but made life under Israeli bombardment even more difficult. 'It's like being walled in,' said Arash*, a student in Tehran. 'We've lost access to each other, to independent news, to help. There's just state media and silence followed by the sounds of bombs.'
For Amir, the most frightening part is how the war is becoming normal. 'We're starting to act like this is normal,' he said, though 'war is not normal'. He said they now recognise shaking windows as air raids or explosions.
While the war terrified him, the blackout added to his worries. 'That's what erases us … makes us invisible. And still, we're here. Still trying to connect with the free world.'
* Names have been changed
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You can update your cookies preferences any time using privacy manager. The bear is widely recognised as a symbol of Russia, and has been depicted in cartoons, articles and dramatic plays since the 16th century. A moose and a black bear were also spotted roaming the grounds outside Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Friday. It's far from an uncommon site in Anchorage; the city is home to about 1,500 moose and as many as 350 black bears. The Trump administration is considering sanctions against the Russian energy giants Lukoil and Rosneft if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire, according to Bloomberg. The report, which cites unnamed sources, noted that measures aimed at squeezing the Russian energy sector may be implemented gradually. US officials have largely avoided targeting Russia's oil sector over fears that doing so could raise domestic energy prices. 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As they took their seats in front of a blue backdrop with the words 'Pursuing Peace', US reporters shouted questions at Putin, asking: 'Mr Putin, will you commit to not killing any more civilians?' and 'President Putin, why should President Trump trust your word now?' Putin made an inaudible comment, and put his hands round his mouth in a gesture that appeared to indicate he could not hear what was being said. 'Thank you very much,' Trump said, before the press was ushered out of the room. Despite assurances from the White House that the two leaders would not hold one-on-one talks, the two men drove off accompanied only by Secret Service agents. Putin could be seen smiling in the backseat of the US president's armoured limousine, known as the Beast. Trump said earlier today that he would know within a few minutes of meeting Putin if the meeting would be a success. 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Marc Bennetts analyses his motivations, from land deals to history lessons — and why he is already at an advantage. Shortly before Trump arrived in Alaska to meet his Russian counterpart, President Zelensky released a videotaped statement in which he reiterated that Russian military strikes were continuing across Ukraine. 'On the day of negotiations, the Russians are killing as well. And that speaks volumes,' he said. 'Ukraine is ready to work as productively as possible to bring the war to an end, and we count on a strong position from America. Everything will depend on this.' Trump will no longer have a one-on-one meeting with President Putin, the White House has said. Instead, the US president will be accompanied by Steve Witkoff and Marco Rubio for a three-on-three meeting. The two Russians joining Putin will be Sergey Lavrov, his foreign minister, and Yury Ushakov, his top foreign policy aide. This meeting will be followed by a working lunch at which Trump, Witkoff and Rubio will be joined by Scott Bessent, the Treasury secretary, Howard Lutnick, the commerce secretary, Pete Hegseth, the defence secretary and Susie Wiles, Trump's chief of staff. Trump has landed in Anchorage for his summit with Putin. Air Force One touched down at 10.25am local time (7.25pm BST). Two podiums are set up in a ballroom on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, in front of the words 'Pursuing Peace' (David Charter writes in Anchorage). The arrangement suggests a joint press conference will take place later with both Trump and Putin. About 300 journalists, photographers and TV camera crews crammed into a media tent next door awaiting the arrival of Air Force One. One half of the room is for 'US Press', including international media based in the United States, and one half for 'RU Press'. The day began for media members covering the summit with a 5am local time meet up in a shopping centre car park on the edge of Anchorage to load into buses for the short drive into the base. After a few hours of delays and a thorough screening with security wands, bag searches and sniffer dogs, we arrived in the media tent at 9.45am local time (6.45pm BST). Trump made a series of comments about the summit earlier today as he took questions from reporters on Air Force One. Here is a summary: On a ceasefire: 'I want to see a ceasefire. This has nothing to do with Europe, Europe's not telling me what to do. But they're going to be involved in the process obviously, as well as Zelensky. I want to see a ceasefire rapidly. I don't know if it's going to be today, but I'm not going to be happy if it's not today. Everyone said it can't be today, but I'm just saying I want the killing to stop. On territorial concessions: The president said these would be discussed at the meeting but would have to be approved by Ukraine. 'I have to let Ukraine make that decision,' Trump said. 'I think they'll make a proper decision, but I'm not here to negotiate for Ukraine. I'm here to get them at a table.' On security guarantees for Ukraine: 'Along with Europe and other countries, not in the form of Nato. Because that's not going to, you know, there are certain things that aren't going to happen. But yeah, along with Europe, there's possibility [of security guarantees].' On continuing Russian drone strikes: '[Putin] is trying to set a stage. In his mind, it helps him make a better deal. It actually hurts him,' Trump said. 'But in his mind that helps him make a better deal if they can continue the killing. Maybe it's a part of the world, maybe it's just his fabric, his genes, his genetics. I'll be talking to him about it.' On 'economic incentives': 'I notice he's bringing a lot of business people from Russia, and that's good. I like that because they want to do business, but we're not doing business until we get the war settled. We have the hottest country on Earth. We have the hottest economy on Earth. 'He wants a piece of that, because his country is not hot economically. In fact its the opposite. I want everybody to do well. But the war's got to stop and the killing's got to stop.' Putin and Trump arrived in Alaska with several key members of their administrations in tow. The US contingent is full of familiar faces. The delegation from the Kremlin, however, may surprise — it includes a poet, Harvard student and sanctions-buster, as Marc Bennetts explains.
The Guardian
8 hours ago
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Ukraine says it has bombed Russian ship carrying drone parts at Caspian port
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