US must treat Iran like 'cancer,' Senator Fetterman says

Majid Khademi, head of intelligence for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), said in an interview published on February 19 that a total ban on foreign social media platforms is intended to “prevent enemy plots and immunize Iranians against them.”

He also revealed that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had tasked him with overseeing the expansion of Iran’s domestic intranet, often referred to as the “national internet,” and stressed the importance of what he described as “proper governance of the Internet.”

“Sianat”—meaning protection—is the term Iranian officials use to describe legislation aimed at restricting social media under the stated goal of shielding citizens from perceived dangers.

The original proposal, often referred to as Sianat-1, was approved by parliament in March 2022 but implementation was halted shortly afterward amid concerns among senior officials that sweeping restrictions could provoke public backlash.

Since then, the bill has remained under discussion among parliament, the Guardian Council and the Supreme National Security Council.

Targeting platforms

Despite the absence of a comprehensive ban, access to major platforms remains restricted, with most users relying on virtual private networks (VPNs). Recent media reports suggest that WhatsApp, which had previously been accessible, has faced renewed restrictions, while authorities continue expanding policies granting limited access to selected users.

In recent weeks, Iranian media outlets have reported renewed efforts to advance what has been informally described as “Sianat-2,” a broader initiative aimed at strengthening state oversight of online activity and expanding domestic internet infrastructure.

Leaked information cited by Iranian media suggests audiovisual content on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube and Telegram could face tighter regulation, potentially placing greater authority in the hands of state institutions including the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), which holds a legal monopoly over broadcasting.

‘Urban terrorism’

Authorities imposed a near-total internet blackout during the widespread protests of January 8 and 9, cutting off access to global platforms and isolating much of the country digitally.

The shutdown coincided with a violent crackdown in which human rights organizations and independent media reported large numbers of protesters killed, injured and detained.

Khademi framed such measures as necessary to counter foreign threats. He accused outside actors of attempting to spread instability, encourage “urban terrorism,” and undermine public trust in the government, though he did not provide evidence.

“These platforms are used to organize and guide hostile activities,” he said, adding that Khamenei had instructed him: “Do not forget the proper governance of the Internet.”

The blackout in January highlighted the central role of internet controls in Iran’s response to political unrest—a strategy that officials have increasingly framed as a matter of national security.

Khademi’s confirmation of the IRGC’s leadership role underscores the extent to which internet governance has become integrated into Iran’s broader security strategy.

The United States on Thursday signaled that it will maintain maximum pressure on Iran until Tehran meets US demands on its nuclear program, ballistic missiles, and support for armed groups in the region.

Tommy Pigott, a State Department spokesman, said the administration’s approach is designed to cut off revenue Tehran uses to fund “malign activities.”

“The message from this President has been very clear from the beginning of this administration, even before,” Piggott said. “We have a maximum pressure policy on the Iranian regime to deny them the revenue they need to fund their malign activities, including their nuclear weapons program, including their ballistic missile program, including the funding of terrorist proxies across the region."

“This President has been very clear about what he wants to see. He’s also been very clear he wants to see a deal. He’s a peacemaker. He’s a deal maker. That’s what he wants to see. But no one can doubt, based on the last time that the Iranian regime refused the deal, that the President means what he says — Operation Midnight Hammer proved that," he added.

Iran sent a formal letter to the United Nations on Thursday, condemning threats from the United States under President Donald Trump and warning of potential retaliation against American assets.

"The United States would bear full and direct responsibility for any unpredictable and uncontrolled consequences," the letter said.

Denmark’s maritime authority has detained and inspected an Iran-flagged container vessel anchored in the country’s waters on the grounds that it was not properly registered, Reuters reported.

The ship, operating under the name “Nora” according to LSEG data, had initially been sailing under a Comoros flag, but Comoros informed Denmark that the vessel was not found in its registry, the report said, citing the authority’s email to Reuters.

“The ship is detained until a flag state can demonstrate to the Danish maritime authority that it is registered and fully certified,” the authority said, according to Reuters, adding that a port state inspection would be carried out before any release.

The authority later said the inspection had been completed and found no significant safety deficiencies.

LSEG data shows that “Nora” is now sailing under the Iranian flag, the report said.

Danish broadcaster TV2, which first reported the detention, said the vessel changed its flag from Comoros to Iran on Wednesday, though Reuters said it was unable to independently verify when the change took place.

US President Donald Trump is weighing an initial limited military strike on Iran to pressure Tehran into meeting his demands for a nuclear agreement, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing people familiar with the matter.

The opening assault, which if authorized could come within days, would target a few military or government sites and be designed to pressure Iran into an agreement while falling short of a full-scale attack that could inspire major retaliation, the report said.

If Iran still refused to comply with Trump’s directive to end its nuclear enrichment, the US would respond with a broad campaign against government facilities — potentially aimed at toppling the government.

The limited-strike option, which hasn’t been previously reported, signals Trump might be open to using military force not only as a reprimand for Iran’s failure to make a deal, but also to pave the way for a US-friendly accord.

Trump could ratchet up his attacks, starting small before ordering larger strikes until the Islamic Republic either dismantles its nuclear work or falls, one of the people said.

Discussions of late have focused more on larger-scale campaigns, the report cited unnamed officials as saying.