Iran shuts down most of the internet as tensions with Israel escalate, WhatsApp and Instagram reportedly blocked
Iran faced a nation-wide 'near-total' internet blackout on Tuesday limiting Iranians' ability to communicate with the outside world at a time of escalating tensions with Israel. Media reports suggest the blackout was a deliberate decision from the government's side specifically in response to alleged Israeli cyberattacks. It wasn't the aftermath of Israeli bombing destroying state infrastructure. VPN services were particularly impacted so there is possibility that the government wanted to crackdown and limit the potential spread of misinformation as well, which is often the case in times like these. According to an NBC News report, citing Kentinc and Netblocks, companies that track internet connectivity around the world, Iran suffered from an internet slowdown at about 5:30 PM local time. It wasn't a total blackout which is to say that not everything was shut down. Alongside limiting people's access to VPN services that would allow them to connect to foreign websites, the government also reportedly urged Iranians to avoid using chat apps like WhatsApp over concerns that they might be leaking – or could leak – their personal information at a time of great turmoil. This is not the first time the Iranian government has shut down the internet or kept its people from accessing internet services. In 2019, it forced a complete blackout for six days straight, in the wake of civil unrest within the country which reportedly led to the deaths of more than 100 people. More than 220 people have died after Israeli strikes, according to Iran while Israel says, retaliatory attacks have killed 24 at the very least. Iran has also blocked the Google Play Store and Apple App Store in its most recent shut down preventing its people from downloading and installing new apps on their devices. At the same time, apps like WhatsApp and Instagram have been rendered completely useless on existing devices. Government-approved sites that are part of Iran's National Information Network remain accessible though.
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India Gazette
25 minutes ago
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'The truth is that since June 13, we were attacked by the Israeli regime in an aggression which is a flagrant violation of international law and a violation of the sovereignty of an independent state. It was highly expected that the free nations would condemn such aggression, a blatant international law violation. We are in a position to defend our people, our government, our country in the best way. We have shown that we are able and we will continue because we are under attack and we have to defend,' he said. Hosseini said his country's retaliatory action is based on self-defence, which is enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, 'which gives us this power to defend our people'. 'The Israeli government and the Israeli officials officially announced some threats against Iranian high-ranking officials. They assassinated some of the Iranian military officials, which is totally against any regulations,' he said. 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Iran 'will stand firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace', the supreme leader said in a televised address reported by the Tasnim news agency. 'This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition,' he said. Khamenei also pointed to statements made by Trump, saying those who know Iran and its history 'know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threat'. 'And the Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable consequences,' he stated. Earlier in the day, he also said that Tehran will harshly retaliate against Israel's attacks as aerial attacks between the two nations continued overnight, marking the sixth day of the war.' We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in English on X. Meanwhile, the Iranian armed forces chief warned of imminent 'punitive operations' against Israel.' Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces: The operations carried out so far have been a warning for deterrence, and punitive operations will be forthcoming,' IRNA News Agency posted on X. (ANI)
India Gazette
25 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"Hope...would not use this one": Senior Iran diplomat over Munir's US visit and possibility of Pak airspace being used for operations against Iran
New Delhi [India] June 18 (ANI): Amid speculation over Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir's meeting with US President Donald Trump amid Iran's conflict with Israel, a senior Iranian diplomat has hoped that Pakistan airspace and airbases will not be used for operations against his country. In an interview with ANI, Iranian Deputy Chief of Mission in India, Mohammad Javad Hosseini answered queries on a range of issues and said his country has not talked of mediation and has called upon the international community to stop 'aggression' by Israel as it is not beneficial to anyone. He hoped the United States will not enter the conflict because it would 'not benefit' any of the players in the region. 'I hope it would not use this one,' Hosseini said when asked about Asim Munir's meeting with Trump and the possibility that Pakistan airspace and airbases could be used for operations against Iran. 'The truth is that since June 13, we were attacked by the Israeli regime in an aggression which is a flagrant violation of international law and a violation of the sovereignty of an independent state. It was highly expected that the free nations would condemn such aggression, a blatant international law violation. We are in a position to defend our people, our government, our country in the best way. We have shown that we are able and we will continue because we are under attack and we have to defend,' he said. Hosseini said his country's retaliatory action is based on self-defence, which is enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, 'which gives us this power to defend our people'. 'The Israeli government and the Israeli officials officially announced some threats against Iranian high-ranking officials. They assassinated some of the Iranian military officials, which is totally against any regulations,' he said. 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'Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American-made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff.' Nobody does it better than the good ol' USA,' he said in a post. 'We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin,' he added. Israel launched a series of airstrikes on Iranian military and nuclear targets, prompting retaliatory attacks from Tehran. Trump has been vocal in his support for Israel, emphasising that Iran cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. Earlier, speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump emphasised the need for a 'real end' to the conflict, arguing it's better than a ceasefire while also suggesting that giving up entirely on negotiating is a possibility. Trump said, 'an end, a real end, not a ceasefire. An end. Or giving entirely. That's OK, too.' 'Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. It's very simple -- you don't have to go to too deep into it. They just can't have a nuclear weapon,' he added. Trump said that he expects the next 48 hours will reveal more about whether Israel plans to slow down or accelerate its attacks on Iran, as per CNN. 'You're going to find out. Nobody's slowed up so far,' Trump said. Trump left the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Canada, after Monday night's dinner, citing the need to attend to pressing matters in the Middle East. Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Wednesday warned Israel and said that the 'Zionist regime made a grave mistake' and will face the consequences of its actions. 'Our nation will not forsake the blood of their martyrs, nor will they remain silent in the face of violations of their airspace,' Iran's First International News Network reported Khamenei's statement. Iran 'will stand firm against an imposed war, just as it will stand firm against an imposed peace', the supreme leader said in a televised address reported by the Tasnim news agency. 'This nation will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition,' he said. Khamenei also pointed to statements made by Trump, saying those who know Iran and its history 'know that Iranians do not answer well to the language of threat'. 'And the Americans should know that any US military intervention will undoubtedly be accompanied by irreparable consequences,' he stated. Earlier in the day, he also said that Tehran will harshly retaliate against Israel's attacks as aerial attacks between the two nations continued overnight, marking the sixth day of the war.' We must give a strong response to the terrorist Zionist regime. We will show the Zionists no mercy,' Ayatollah Ali Khamenei wrote in English on X. Meanwhile, the Iranian armed forces chief warned of imminent 'punitive operations' against Israel.' Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces: The operations carried out so far have been a warning for deterrence, and punitive operations will be forthcoming,' IRNA News Agency posted on X. (ANI)
India Today
32 minutes ago
- India Today
Fact Check: OLD video from US goes viral as panic after Iran attack on Tel Aviv airport
As the Israel-Iran conflict continues to escalate, a video of people running in panic in a building is being widely shared as visuals from Israel's Tel Aviv airport, where chaos allegedly erupted after an Iranian drone crashed nearby.A Facebook user captioned the video: 'Panic and chaos at Tel Aviv Airport as loitering drones crash and explode near the premises, prompting mass evacuations.' Its archive can be seen India Today Fact Check found that the video has nothing to do with the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. It is from February 2025 and was shot at a mall in the US, where rumours of a gunman caused PROBEWith the help of Google Lens, we found that the video was first shared in February 2025. This confirmed that the video could not be from the Iran-Israel conflict, which began on June that time, an Instagram user wrote that the incident took place on February 16 at the Florida Mall in Orlando, a city in the US state of Florida. As per the post, a man in his 20s accidentally shot and injured himself while adjusting a gun. His injuries were non-life-threatening. We also found several news reports about this incident, which said that the gunshot caused panic among the mall's local police later clarified that 'reports of a shooting at the Florida Mall are unfounded" and that "there was an accidental discharge of a firearm and the only person injured is the person who was handling the firearm'.Photos of the Florida Mall available on Google Maps also prove that the viral video was shot it is clear that the video is not from Tel Aviv Airport but from an American noteworthy that Iranian news agencies recently reported that Iran hit the Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv with missiles. But we did not find Israeli or international media reports corroborating this. Also, according to reports, the Ben Gurion Airport and Israel's airspace have been closed since the beginning of the Iran-Israel conflict, leaving tens of thousands stranded, whose flights to Tel Aviv were cancelled. However, a report in the Times of Israel said that the first two flights bringing Israeli citizens back to Israel from Cyprus landed at Ben Gurion Airport on June Watch Want to send us something for verification? Please share it on our at 73 7000 7000 You can also send us an email at factcheck@
