Iran Blackout, Cyber Threats Heighten Israel Tensions

As military and cyber tensions between Israel and Iran intensify, Iran has enforced a near-total national internet blackout, confirmed by NetBlocks and Cloudflare, severely restricting information access during ongoing airstrikes. Iranian authorities claim the blackout is to prevent Israeli military exploitation, but critics argue it may be intended to suppress domestic unrest. The pro-Israel hacking group Predatory Sparrow has claimed responsibility for recent cyberattacks on Iranian banks and exchanges. Iranian officials have warned that direct U.S. intervention would trigger 'all-out war,' while cybersecurity experts caution Iran could retaliate with cyberattacks targeting U.S. critical infrastructure such as power and water systems. In response, U.S. agencies and private sector leaders are boosting cyber defenses. The conflict remains volatile, heightening risks of regional and global instability.