Israel says Iran blackout hides extent of U.S. and Israeli strikes
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Israeli officials warn that Iran’s ongoing internet blackout is shaping the battlefield in ways that extend far beyond cyberspace, limiting the visibility of the impact of U.S. and Israeli attacks while tightening the regime’s grip on its own population.
Multiple Israeli sources told Fox News that the blackout not only restricts information from leaving Iran, but also prevents citizens from organizing within the country at a time when pressure on the regime is increasing. According to Israeli officials, civilians’ attempts to access the internet via satellite services such as Starlink were disrupted, while hundreds of people suspected of using such terminals were detained.
“This is an obscuration of the truth,” a senior Israeli intelligence official told Fox News. “The regime is hiding the truth from its own people. They do not want the Iranian people to see how badly they have been hit.”
ISRAEL IS WITHDRAWING IRAN’S INTERNAL SECURITY COMMAND CENTERS TO OPEN THE DOOR TO UPRISING
Attacks on the Iranian leadership, the Revolutionary Guard, Iranian navy ships and oil infrastructure have roiled markets. (Sasan / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
According to the official, the information gap in Iran is being filled by state-controlled narratives.
“The Iranians only know what they see on fake television channels controlled by the Islamic regime, which show the destruction of the United States and Israel,” the Israeli official said.
But the impact goes beyond perception. The power outage also affects behavior on the field.
“And it’s not just about what people see, it’s about what they can do,” the official said. “Internet shutdowns prevent people from communicating, sharing what’s really going on, and organizing.”
The restrictions come as the Iranian regime faces both external military pressure and ongoing internal unrest following a brutal crackdown in early 2026. In January, security forces opened fire on protests across the country, and reports suggested the death toll could reach more than 30,000 within days.
In this context, Israeli officials say that the power outage reflects the regime’s fear of renewed unrest.
“The Iranian people are one of the things the regime fears most. That’s why this power outage was such a priority,” the official said. he said.
THE IRANIAN REGIME IS HIDING IN SHELTERS WITH CIVILIANS LEFT OPEN WITHOUT SUFFICIENT BOMB SHELTERS OR SIRENS
According to analyst Simon Migliano, the internet outage in Iran continues with heavy filtering despite partial restoration and costs over $780 million. (Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asian News Agency) via Reuters)
The result, according to Israeli officials, is a war that unfolds largely in full public view.
“This is one of the least visible wars in modern history because so little footage emerges,” the official said. “Once this blackout is lifted, the extent of the damage to the regime will become clear. Right now, we are only seeing a small idea of how badly they have been destroyed.”
Israeli sources also directly linked the power outage to high-value military targets.
The official claims that the US and Israel “removed 25 senior commanders from the MOIS”, citing the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence. “The majority were eliminated in the opening strike when they gathered for a meeting,” the official said, adding that those targeted were involved in managing the power outage.
The official stated that Esmail Khatib was among those killed, describing him as “the Minister of Intelligence who signed the fainting”.
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Iranians gather by blocking the street during a protest in Tehran, Iran, on January 9, 2026. (MAHSA / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)
US analysts say the information space has become a central front in the conflict.
John Spencer, executive director of the Urban Warfare Institute, wrote to X: “Iran has repeatedly shut down internet access to control its population. This ability is reversible.”
Spencer argued that external actors could tip the balance by targeting the regime’s communications while enabling civilian connectivity.
“Disrupt the regime’s command networks while enabling the public to connect through external systems. Information becomes a weapon. Control of the narrative, coordination and awareness moves away from the regime,” he wrote.
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While Iranian security forces are alleged to have killed detainees and burned their bodies during the protests, clashes continue in Kermanshah, Rasht and Mashhad, despite the government’s claims. (NCRI)
He also highlighted the instability in Iran, stating that the country’s population is “over 85 million, young, urban, and persistently dissatisfied,” suggesting that a significant portion of protest activity is against the regime.
“So far civilians have largely been told to take shelter,” Spencer wrote. “This may change.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Iran’s mission to the United Nations, which responded with “no comment.”
