Iranian authorities say restrictions on internet access are being lifted amid the ceasefire with Israel.
“The communication network is gradually returning to its previous state,” said the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' cyber security command in a statement carried by state media.
On June 13, telecoms officials in the country announced temporary restrictions to prevent alleged misuse by the Israeli military and stop the apparent spread of disinformation.
Shortly afterwards, internet traffic in the country dropped by almost half, and was almost nonexistent in the days the followed, according to NetBlocks, which tracks cyber security and digital governance around the world.
Internet disruptions imposed by the government in Iran are not unusual, but some experts say the latest blackout caused more distress than usual because of the back-and-forth strikes between Israel and Iran.
“It was a double-edged sword,” Mohammed Soliman, director of the strategic technologies and cybersecurity programme at the Washington-based Middle East Institute think tank, told The National.
“While it bought the government time during wartime, it also fuels public frustration by disrupting civilian services – banking, communication, daily routines – not to mention access to public safety information and contact with loved ones.”
“Iran’s internet blackout is a wartime move,” he said. “It suppresses potential dissent, and obscures battlefield losses.”
Shortly after Iran announced the blackout, however, tech tycoon Elon Musk announced that his company, Starlink, had activated services for those in the country with consoles that could access the low-earth-orbit satellite internet connection.
Starlink and similar services are not officially available in the country.
As a result of air strikes between Iran and Israel, technological paranoia kicked into overdrive on both sides.
Attempts to jam global positioning satellite (GPS) systems have been reported, causing smartphones in various countries to show incorrect time zones and map locations.
Even while Iran was under the internet blackout, US authorities expressed concern about the potential for cyber attacks originating from the country.
“Low-level cyber attacks against US networks by pro-Iranian 'hacktivists' are likely, and cyber actors affiliated with the Iranian government may conduct attacks on US networks,” a US National Terrorism Advisory bulletin read.
Iran is acknowledged in the cyber security community as a major state sponsor of cyber attacks, and the country featured prominently throughout Microsoft's 2024 Digital Defence Report.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
Results
2pm: Serve U – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Violent Justice, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
2.30pm: Al Shafar Investment – Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: Desert Wisdom, Bernardo Pinheiro, Ahmed Al Shemaili
3pm: Commercial Bank of Dubai – Handicap (TB) Dh68,000 (D) 1,200m; Winner: Fawaareq, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
3.30pm: Shadwell – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh100,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Down On Da Bayou, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer
4pm: Dubai Real Estate Centre – Maiden (TB) Dh60,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: Rakeez, Patrick Cosgrave, Bhupat Seemar
4.30pm: Al Redha Insurance Brokers – Handicap (TB) Dh78,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Capla Crusader, Bernardo Pinheiro, Rashed Bouresly
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
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The years Ramadan fell in May
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
