For a long time, the Iranian government has treated free internet access as a privilege that is extended by the state to those willing to carry its message and withheld from everyone else. Around four hours after Israeli and American strikes began, internet traffic collapsed by 98 percent — a near-total blackout. Iran’s communications infrastructure was deliberately dismantled by the government and internet traffic was completely halted. The strikes were made by the Iranian government’s adversaries aimed at military installations, capabilities, and senior political and military leadership. The internet blackout was imposed by the government, aimed at the Iranian people. The post Iran’s Other Front: The War Over the Internet appeared first on War on the Rocks .