Millions of Iranians have been cut off from the outside world by a near-total internet shutdown in Tehran and other cities, in what officials said was a bid to curb cyber attacks after a week of military exchanges with Israel.
Iranian banks and television stations have been hacked since Israel began its attack on Iran last week. Tehran routinely blocks many websites based overseas, but a far broader range of sites, including domestic media, became inaccessible this week.
NetBlocks, which monitors internet access worldwide, said that “Iran imposed a nationwide internet shutdown” that has now lasted for more than two days. “The ongoing blackout . . . impacts the public’s ability to stay connected at a time when communications are vital,” it said.
The outage came as Iranians faced widespread Israeli missile strikes for the first time, with residential buildings and offices among those hit, along with military sites. Large queues of people left the capital as the conflict escalated, though many others have opted to stay.
Farzan, 32, a Tehran resident, said: “I am cut off from the outside world . . . I have had no money for several days because my bank has been hacked, leaving me without a debit card.”
