How Journalists Are Reporting From Iran With No Internet

Following coordinated Israeli and American strikes that killed senior Iranian officials including Supreme Leader Ali al-Khamenei in Tehran on March 3, 2026, the Iranian government imposed a near-total internet blackout, forcing journalists inside the country to rely on satellite links, encrypted applications, and smuggled footage to continue reporting on the rapidly evolving situation. Tehran-based journalist Mostafa Zadeh notes that this response is similar to previous government actions during security crackdowns and periods of unrest, with authorities routinely cutting internet access during crises while citing security concerns as the official reason. The blackout prevents communication between potential Israeli intelligence operatives and contacts inside Iran, but places the heaviest burden on journalists and local media workers who lose access to their essential reporting tools. 'The right of information is always the first casualty when the government prioritizes its security objectives,' Zadeh emphasizes, highlighting how journalists, activists, and ordinary citizens attempting to document events on the ground face the dangerous choice of finding ways around restrictions or remaining silent. Despite the connectivity challenges, Iranian journalists and activists have developed sophisticated methods to continue reporting, including using encrypted messaging apps like Signal and Threema, international phone calls, SMS, and citizen-shot videos smuggled out of the country in encrypted form. Organizations like those run by Erfan Khorshidi have smuggled Starlink terminals to dissidents, enabling unprecedented real-time transmission of reports, video, and photos during critical events. Media organizations also rely on high-resolution satellite imagery from commercial providers such as Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs to document events on the ground, though these images have limitations in identifying individuals or verifying casualty numbers. Journalists like Baqer Salehi use these images to establish the scale of destruction while corroborating with testimonial evidence and additional sources to maintain accuracy. The methods employed to maintain information flow come with significant personal risks. Iranian authorities have tightened espionage laws, with those accused of spying for foreign powers now facing the death penalty and property confiscation. Journalists using satellite technology must constantly relocate devices to avoid detection by Iranian intelligence, exposing themselves to checkpoints and surveillance at a time when the Basij paramilitary force has increased its presence on the streets. According to Amnesty International, Iran executed over 1,000 people in 2025, more than double the previous year's total, with at least 15 executions of individuals accused of spying for Israel since the outbreak of hostilities in June 2025. 'My biggest concern today is that a team member might be arrested while traveling from Tehran to another city to use Starlink devices,' Khorshidi admits, yet maintains that these dangerous measures are necessary 'to maintain the flow of information' during critical moments when the government seeks to control the narrative.