Read, Watch or Listen

Strange pre-recorded messages are greeting callers trying to reach people in Iran, following nationwide internet restrictions. A nearly 90-second message offering inspirational advice has been widely reported, with experts suggesting it's a government attempt to control communication during a suspected blackout. While some initially suspected an Israeli cyberattack, NetBlocks points to a common tactic of redirecting calls during internet outages. Though international internet access has partially resumed, connectivity remains below normal levels. The Iranian government frequently restricts internet access to suppress dissent.

Prepared by Rachel Morgan and reviewed by editorial team.