Iran’s government says it shut down internet to protect against cyberattacks

This week, Iran experienced a significant internet blackout, affecting almost the entire population and severely restricting access to information amid escalating tensions with Israel. Initially shrouded in uncertainty, the Iranian government has now revealed that the blackout was a deliberate measure to safeguard against potential Israeli cyberattacks. Fatemeh Mohajerani, the spokesperson for the Iranian government, stated, "We have previously indicated that if necessary, we will certainly switch to a national internet and restrict global internet access. Security is our main concern, and we are witnessing cyberattacks on the country’s critical infrastructure and disruptions in the functioning of banks." She emphasized the threat posed by enemy drones, which rely on internet connectivity for control, and pointed to recent hacks on Iranian banking and cryptocurrency platforms as catalysts for the shutdown. The group Predatory Sparrow, also known as "Gonjeshke Darande," has claimed responsibility for several high-profile cyberattacks against Iranian entities, including the hacking of Bank Sepah and the cryptocurrency exchange Nobitex. This group is believed to be aligned with pro-Israel interests and has successfully targeted Iran's vital services, including gas stations and steel manufacturing facilities. The impact of the internet restrictions has been profound, leaving many Iranians, both inside and outside the country, cut off from communication during a time of conflict. Amir Rashidi, a cybersecurity expert whose family evacuated Tehran due to imminent threats, expressed concern over their safety, stating he had not heard from them in two days. Communication channels have been severely hampered, with phone calls from abroad failing to connect. Nariman Gharib, an Iranian activist based in the UK, noted that only a handful of individuals are managing to access the internet through virtual private networks, while the majority remain offline due to the comprehensive blackout. He remarked on the difficulties faced by most Iranians, saying, "My friends are tech-savvy, so they can bypass the restrictions, but generally, it’s very difficult because we have a complete internet shutdown in the country."