In line with my research, I’m tracking specific online issues on this fast-moving situation. If you are seeking digital background information, there’s a chapter on Shi’i authorities/ayatollahs in Islamic Algorithms. My other writing also explores related themes. I’m not responsible for external links nor their affiliations.
There are related posts on Iran LEGO propaganda, LEGO (cont/d), and Explosive Media.
Doug Faulkner, BBC News, ‘Like a prisoner being released’ – Relief for Iranians as internet shutdown ends, 27 May 2026. “While there is relief at the partial restoration of connectivity in Iran, there are also concerns about increased censorship in a country where internet access was already heavily restricted and monitored.”
Patrick Wintour, The Guardian, Iran’s access to global internet starts to resume after 88-day blackout, 26 May 2026. “The resumption came despite an interim administrative court order questioning the authority of the body overseeing the move, called the “special headquarters for leading the country’s cyberspace”. The body had been set up by the president, Masoud Pezeshkian, a week ago.”
"“Iran on Wednesday executed a cyber security expert convicted of spying for Israel, two human rights groups said, alleging his case was marked by torture, forced confessions and denial of a fair trial.”"
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 13 May 2026 at 13:00
[image or embed]
From last week (but still relevant):
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 7 May 2026 at 13:16
[image or embed]
💸 #Iran's internet blackout is now past hour 1776, entering its 75th day. The digital censorship measure has led to profiteering and a decline in digital security as government-backed "pro" internet schemes and selective whitelisting result in surveillance, corruption and scams.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 13 May 2026 at 08:52
[image or embed]
From last week (but still relevant):
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 7 May 2026 at 13:16
[image or embed]
ITV News, Secret filming in Iran reveals ceasefire brings little relief as war crushes economy and hopes, 6 May 2026. “An internet blackout in Iran, imposed on the first day of the war, has entered its tenth week. Hidden from the outside world, the shutdown has become a powerful tool of control for the regime. Shielded from scrutiny, harassment, arrests and even executions of those who speak out remain a constant threat.”
I missed this report from a couple of days ago …
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 30 April 2026 at 12:58
[image or embed]
An interesting and detailed discussion on memes here from @wired.com …
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 24 April 2026 at 22:30
[image or embed]
Mystery deepens over Mojtaba Khamenei's condition after Iran unveils ‘martyr’ mural
— EUwatch 🇪🇺 (@euwatch.live) 27 April 2026 at 12:17
[image or embed]
Iran's ongoing internet shutdown is now in its 59th day. It's been 107+ days since the Jan 8 blackout first cut off broad internet access — meaning Iranians have had widespread connectivity for just ~6% of 2026. #DigitalBlackOutIran
— Doug Madory (@eldomador.bsky.social) 27 April 2026 at 14:13
[image or embed]
Inside #Iran – from @skynewsrss.bsky.social
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 20 April 2026 at 13:23
[image or embed]
📵 The #Iran internet blackout is now in its 53rd day after 1248 hours of disconnection from global networks. As authorities work to develop tiered access for select users and businesses, the human impacts and economic harms of this digital censorship measure continue to spiral.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 21 April 2026 at 08:44
[image or embed]
Sabotage-for-hire: ‘Iranian agent’ offers to pay undercover LBC reporter for criminal acts on London’s streets www.lbc.co.uk/article/iran…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 24 April 2026 at 09:24
[image or embed]
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has entered its 40th day after 936 hours of near-total disconnection from the outside world. The wartime censorship measure continues even as the US and Iran regimes each declare victory, with the Iranian people once again left in the dark.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 8 April 2026 at 08:22
[image or embed]
Experts say Iran's Revolutionary Guards are using cryptocurrencies to circumvent Western sanctions and finance allied militias.
— Euronews (@euronews.com) 27 March 2026 at 13:54
[image or embed]
Iran accused of courting British crypto donations to fund regime www.lbc.co.uk/article/iran…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 28 March 2026 at 16:04
[image or embed]
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has now entered day 30 as the nationwide censorship measure continues into its fifth week after 696 hours. Metrics show that connectivity to the outside world remains at just 1% of ordinary levels.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 29 March 2026 at 08:30
[image or embed]
⚠️ Update: #Iran's digital blackout has entered its 27th day after 624 hours of isolation from the global internet with connectivity levels at ~1%. Rights monitors, independent media and the public are sidelined as access is granted only to those on a state-approved whitelist.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 26 March 2026 at 08:08
[image or embed]
The President of the U.S. The man with the nuclear codes. And people are just going to pretend this is ok. In a functioning society, he would be removed from office within hours by his own party.
— Brendan Nyhan (@brendannyhan.bsky.social) 5 April 2026 at 16:16
[image or embed]
“Trump uses foul-mouthed language to tell Iran to open Strait of Hormuz.” @skynewsrss.bsky.social
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 5 April 2026 at 16:59
[image or embed]
(Way) beyond the rhetoric ….
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 27 March 2026 at 14:37
[image or embed]
EXCLUSIVE: Israel suspects Trump admin. is in contract with three #Iran officials, including Ghalibaf, to try and end war. www.al-monitor.com/originals/20…
— Joyce Karam (@joycekaram.bsky.social) 27 March 2026 at 14:15
[image or embed]
Nearly 1,500 Iranian civilians have been killed in U.S. and Israeli strikes that have hit schools, hospitals and other nonmilitary infrastructure since the Iran war began last month, human rights groups alleged in a new report.
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 27 March 2026 at 14:15
[image or embed]
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 22 March 2026 at 10:10
More #AI fakes #Iran
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 20 March 2026 at 19:09
[image or embed]
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 16 March 2026 at 21:54
Important pointers in this article on the ‘information void‘ … #Iran
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 20 March 2026 at 12:13
[image or embed]
Officer reportedly leaks location of French aircraft carrier with Strava run www.bbc.co.uk/news/article…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 20 March 2026 at 12:45
[image or embed]
⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has entered its 20th day, with international connectivity unavailable to the general public for over 456 hours. The incident is now the longest recorded shutdown in Iran's history, surpassing the blackout imposed during protests in January.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 19 March 2026 at 07:34
[image or embed]
A great piece from @globalvoices.org …
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 20 March 2026 at 12:19
[image or embed]
Video analysis of Iranian drone strikes on 7 countries reveal a pattern of inadequate protection for strategic locations from the outset of the war. Drones have hit military bases, logistics hubs, diplomatic buildings and energy infrastructure, our analysis shows: www.nbcnews.com/tech/securit…
— Jane Lytvynenko (@janelytv.bsky.social) 14 March 2026 at 13:40
[image or embed]
Iran LEGO AI troll propaganda: “In the bizarre video, posted by Iran’s Tasnim News Agency, Trump and Netanyahu stood beside a Lego Satan and looked over a folder titled: “Jeffrey Epstein File.””
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 12 March 2026 at 19:14
[image or embed]
AI dashboards impact on the observation of warfare
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 10 March 2026 at 17:19
[image or embed]
NEW: War is pushing Iran deeper into a water crisis, compounding the effects of climate change and decades of mismanagement My latest on the intersection of war and climate with @eroston.bsky.social via @bloomberglp.bsky.social www.bloomberg.com/news/article…
— Laura Millan (@lauramillan.bsky.social) 12 March 2026 at 11:48
[image or embed]
cyberwar summary #Iran What role has cyber warfare played in Iran? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 12 March 2026 at 09:29
[image or embed]
#Starlink use in #Iran discussed here 'Even under missiles we carry on living' – how young Iranians are coping with war www.bbc.co.uk/news/article…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 11 March 2026 at 18:04
[image or embed]
#Dubai charges British man charged in Dubai for alleged filming of Iranian missiles www.bbc.co.uk/news/article…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 12 March 2026 at 16:45
[image or embed]
⚠️ Update: Metrics show the internet blackout in #Iran has entered its thirteenth day with the incident surpassing 288 hours. The regime's measure presents a direct risk to the safety, health, and security of civilians who have a right to receive information needed for survival.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 12 March 2026 at 07:43
[image or embed]
BREAKING: The UN refugee agency says up to 3.2 million people in Iran have been displaced by the ongoing war. Follow AP’s live updates.
— The Associated Press (@apnews.com) 12 March 2026 at 11:07
[image or embed]
AI dashboards impact on the observation of warfare
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 10 March 2026 at 17:19
[image or embed]
“The White House was responsible for a deadly strike on an Iranian school which killed more than 170 people, mostly children, a US military investigation has reportedly revealed.” @lbc.co.uk ‘US responsible for deadly Iran school strike after 'using outdated intelligence', report reveals’
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 12 March 2026 at 17:28
[image or embed]
Really interesting from @financialtimes.com on shortwave number transmission to #Iran
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 10 March 2026 at 17:37
[image or embed]
‘Tactical error‘ is one expression …
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 11 March 2026 at 16:05
[image or embed]
(1/2) I think that the framing in this @theatlantic.com piece (prevalent in many other publications, too) of Mujtaba Khamenei not being a religious scholar and having no proper credentials is factually incorrect. Reports from Qom state that he has been recognized as Ayatollah since 2022. 2022. The
— Simon Wolfgang Fuchs (@simonwfuchs.bsky.social) 10 March 2026 at 12:10
[image or embed]
President Donald Trump gave conflicting signs in a series of remarks about the Iran war strategy.
— CNN (@cnn.com) 9 March 2026 at 23:19
[image or embed]
“Tehran residents warned of acid rain after oil storage attack”
— Matt Burgess (WIRED) (@mattburgess1.bsky.social) 8 March 2026 at 16:50
[image or embed]
Who is Mojtaba Khamenei, Iran's new supreme leader? www.bbc.co.uk/news/article…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 8 March 2026 at 23:26
[image or embed]
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 7 March 2026 at 10:36
The bombing of Tehran — in maps and satellite images ft.trib.al/sJcTk6M
— Financial Times (@financialtimes.com) 7 March 2026 at 09:14
[image or embed]
The internet blackout in Iran is a profound human rights crisis. Discover the devastating reality of this "complete silence" and the urgent need to defend digital rights
— Gohary (@ircpresident.bsky.social) 7 March 2026 at 18:00
[image or embed]
AI-generated Iran war videos surge as creators use new tech to cash in www.bbc.co.uk/news/article…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 7 March 2026 at 18:09
[image or embed]
Iran’s internet shutdown has reduced connectivity by 99 percent, with air strikes likely causing additional outages, and few workarounds remaining. www.wired.com/story/the-fu…
— WIRED (@wired.com) 6 March 2026 at 20:11
[image or embed]
more on camera hacking @wired.com
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 6 March 2026 at 22:49
[image or embed]
I’ve gone back to listening to The Rest is Politics, even though I don’t appreciate all the perspectives and can’t keep up with all the episodes. Nevertheless, this made important points on Rules of Engagement:
Good points on Rules of Engagement ++ from @therestpolitics.bsky.social today #Iran
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 4 March 2026 at 18:19
[image or embed]
I’m interested in this on multiple levels. AI tools can be used without specific agreements, I’m sure, and the US administration is not paying particular attention to regulations and principles at the moment:
A big question…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 4 March 2026 at 21:33
[image or embed]
AI integration in warfare …
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 22:18
[image or embed]
#Iran reporters in net blackout
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 22:24
[image or embed]
“Elon Musk’s social media platform is a verifiable mess: In some cases, alleged video footage of the attack shared in posts on X are actually months or years old. ” Important coverage from @davidgilbert.bsky.social @wired.com
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 22:28
[image or embed]
“Missile maths” news.sky.com/story/iran-w…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 4 March 2026 at 09:23
[image or embed]
Influencers flee …
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 17:39
[image or embed]
more on that hacked prayer app
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 22:41
[image or embed]
Amazon takes a hit:
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 13:37
[image or embed]
Khamene’i ‘commemorations‘ in London:
Social media elements in this story:
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 13:33
[image or embed]
Traffic cam intelligence:
"Real-time data, including from cameras focused on Khamenei’s personal compound, was encrypted and transmitted to servers in Israel, providing crucial insights into the 'pattern of life' of senior Iranian officials."
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 13:28
[image or embed]
“A major cyber operation struck Iran during joint US–Israeli military strikes, with hackers targeting popular digital services and a widely used religious calendar app. The BadeSaba prayer app, downloaded by millions, was reportedly hacked to spread anti-government and defection messages to users, including security forces, amid the chaos. Internet connectivity in Iran dropped sharply twice during the incident, according to network analysts. Cybersecurity experts warn that this marks an escalation in the digital dimension of the conflict, with the possibility of further retaliatory cyberattacks against US, Israeli, and allied targets as tensions continue to rise.” . WION, US-Iran War: Iran Cyber Front Hits Religious App, Internet Disruptions; Experts Warn Escalation
Middle East Eye, At least 23 protesters killed in Pakistan after killing of Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, 2 Mar 2026
Religious app hit.
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 3 March 2026 at 13:04
[image or embed]
Ayatollah Khamenei's body found following US-Israeli strikes www.lbc.co.uk/article/ayat…
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 28 February 2026 at 20:26
[image or embed]
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 28 February 2026 at 23:26
— Gary R. Bunt (@garyrbunt.bsky.social) 1 March 2026 at 16:27
Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been killed in Israeli and US strikes, Iranian state media confirmed. Follow our live coverage here: reut.rs/3OSg20V
— Reuters (@reuters.com) 1 March 2026 at 03:07
[image or embed]
⚠️ Confirmed: Live metrics show a disruption to internet access in parts of #Iran including Tehran with connectivity at 54% of ordinary levels. The incident comes as the US and Israel target the regime with military strikes and will limit visibility into events on the ground.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 28 February 2026 at 07:58
[image or embed]
⚠️ Confirmed: Network data show #Iran is now in the midst of a near-total internet blackout with national connectivity at 4% or ordinary levels. The incident comes amid US and Israeli combat operations and matches measures used during last year's war with Israel.
— NetBlocks (@netblocks.org) 28 February 2026 at 08:16
[image or embed]
Note: I have this on my Viewing List, but haven’t taken a close look yet:
I found this fascinating and alarming in equal measure:
