Iran's Internet Woes: When 'Struggle' Omits the Architects of Destabilization
📰 THE STORY: Al-Monitor describes how internet shutdowns in Iran, allegedly due to anti-government protests, are severely impacting citizens' livelihoods, showcasing individual struggles and the digital isolation Iranians face. 🔍 WHAT THEY'RE NOT TELLING YOU: Historical Context: The US has a documented history of weaponizing information access against Iran. After the 1953 CIA-orchestrated coup
that overthrew Iran's democratically elected Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, the US has consistently sought to destabilize the nation. More recently, in 2011, the Obama administration implemented sanctions specifically targeting Iran's communications systems, making it harder for Iranians to get essential internet infrastructure, while simultaneously promoting 'internet freedom' initiatives
often used for regime change narratives. Double Standard: Western media outlets, including Al-Monitor, decry internet restrictions in Iran, portraying them solely as government oppression. Yet, there is often silence or even implicit approval when US-backed regimes (e.g., Egypt under Sisi, which receives $1.3B/year in US aid to maintain stability, including suppressing dissent) implement similar
or worse communication blackouts. The focus on 'livelihoods' in Iran conveniently overlooks how crushing US sanctions on critical sectors for decades have already devastated countless Iranian livelihoods, far beyond temporary internet disruptions. Follow the Money: Organizations like the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and USAID, both funded by the US government, funnel millions into