INVC NEWS
Middle East – : Digital warfare is intensifying between Israel and Iran as both nations push their conflict beyond the battlefield. Iranian state TV broadcasts were hijacked midweek, sparking fresh outrage after footage encouraging civil unrest and anti-government protests aired without warning. The incident is being called one of the most aggressive psychological operations in the region to date.
The conflict between Israel and Iran, now stretching into its second week, has expanded to multiple fronts. Israeli strikes reportedly hit Iran’s Arak nuclear facility, while Iran responded by targeting key Israeli cities, including the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange. In Beersheba, missile strikes damaged a hospital, increasing civilian fears. But even as missiles fall, a digital war has emerged — one focused on disrupting public trust, spreading fear, and destabilizing systems from within.
Iranian Broadcasts Hacked with Protest Footage
Viewers across Iran were stunned when regular programming on state TV was interrupted by video clips of past anti-government protests. Many of the clips referenced the 2022 Mahsa Amini movement, when widespread unrest erupted after a young woman died in police custody for allegedly violating Iran’s strict dress code. The broadcast urged citizens to rise up against the Supreme Leader.
Iranian media outlet Hamshahri posted footage of the moment when national TV was hacked, calling it a coordinated effort to fuel domestic instability. After broadcast control was restored, an on-screen warning blamed “Jewish enemies” and cyberattacks from Israel for the disruption.
Israel Accused of Turning the Internet Into a Weapon
Iran accused Israel of using the internet to launch cyber warfare. According to officials in Tehran, Israeli cyber units are weaponizing civilian internet networks for intelligence gathering and military operations. In response, the Iranian government imposed sweeping internet restrictions across the country.
Global watchdog NetBlocks confirmed a large-scale internet blackout across Iran, severely affecting civilian access. Iranian authorities also blocked popular platforms including WhatsApp, Instagram, Google Play, and Apple’s App Store, urging citizens not to use these services. Officials claimed these platforms were compromised and leaking sensitive user data to Israeli intelligence — a claim WhatsApp has strongly denied.
Iran’s Banking System Targeted by Israeli Hackers
Hackers linked to Israel claimed responsibility for breaching the Iranian state-owned Bank Sepah, one of the country’s oldest financial institutions. The group, which goes by the name Gonjeshke Darande (“Predatory Sparrow”), said it carried out the attack due to the bank’s alleged role in funding the Iranian military.
As a result, Bank Sepah’s website was taken offline for hours, and several customers were unable to access their accounts or withdraw funds. Cybersecurity analysts say such attacks erode public confidence in national institutions during wartime and can lead to panic among civilians.
Crypto Exchange Also Hit in Digital Offensive
The same hacker group also claimed to have targeted Nobitex, Iran’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. The attackers alleged the platform is used by Iran’s leadership to bypass global sanctions and fund extremist activities worldwide. They claimed to have seized millions of dollars from Nobitex’s digital wallets during the breach.
These attacks are part of a broader Israeli effort to undermine Iran’s financial stability and discredit the government’s digital infrastructure. While Iranian officials have yet to verify the full scope of the damage, internal tensions appear to be mounting.
Israeli Leaders Receive Death Threats as Digital War Spreads
On the other side of the border, Israeli politicians are now facing direct threats as psychological operations intensify. Local media outlet Channel 12 reported that several senior political figures received phone calls in Hebrew warning of total destruction at the hands of Iranian missile strikes.
Among those threatened were Yehuda Vald, Director General of the ultra-Orthodox Religious Zionism Party, and MK Shelly Tal Meron of the centrist Yesh Atid Party. Both said the calls originated from Iranian numbers and delivered chilling messages stating that the war would continue until “Israel is completely destroyed.”
These digital threats, timed alongside real-world military attacks, reveal a new phase of hybrid warfare where psychological manipulation plays as crucial a role as missiles and drones.
