Amidst widespread internet blackouts in Iran, citizens are reportedly being compelled to share pro-government content and disclose extensive personal information to regain online access, as highlighted by independent media sources.
According to Iran International, an independent Persian-language news service headquartered in Washington DC, users have been instructed to provide a range of personal data, including their residential and workplace addresses, bank details, images of their bank cards, and links to their social media profiles to restore their internet services.
Additionally, these individuals are being asked to sign handwritten commitments, agreeing not to disseminate any material that could harm Iran’s “psychological, social, or political security,” as per the report.
This development coincides with Tehran’s allegations against the United States, accusing it of eroding trust and undermining peace negotiations.
During a press event in New Delhi, Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, expressed skepticism, stating, “We cannot trust the Americans at all,” as reported by CBS News.
Araghchi further commented on the fragile nature of the current ceasefire, attributing the instability to what he described as mixed signals from Washington.
“Every day brings a different message, sometimes even two different messages in a single day, which deepens mistrust,” Araghchi said.
As the conflict has continued into a third month, Iran has looked to clamp down harder on its own people.
Internet users were warned that their activities were being monitored through “smart surveillance and artificial intelligence systems,” with repeated violators risking judicial actions and heavier punishment.
Some citizens were even ordered to publish at least 20 pro-regime posts on social media, and provide evidence they had done so.
They were ordered to spread the posts out “to make the activity appear natural,” according to the messages.
Others were ordered to attend pro-government rallies at night, photographing themselves carrying the Iranian flag or pictures of dead Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated by the US and Israel in February.
Iran deployed small submarines to the Strait of Hormuz this week to cause more chaos in the vital waterway.
Despite that, the oil-rich nation’s economy is said to be sinking fast, with the country’s new supreme leader forced to beg his people to “be frugal” and stop businesses from laying off workers.
Iran is reportedly now using the Caspian Sea, highways, and a Chinese railroad to bypass the US blockade on the Strait of Hormuz.
