As missiles fall between Israel and Iran, a parallel battle unfolds online. Social media warfare in Middle East has intensified, transforming digital platforms into tools of censorship, surveillance, and propaganda. Both governments are using these platforms to control their populations, suppress dissent, and gather intelligence.
Since the start of Israel’s latest military operations, authorities have imposed tighter restrictions on communication tools. Israeli soldiers can no longer post on platforms like Facebook from inside military facilities. Even sharing pictures from ceremonies is now forbidden. This move follows an October 7 attack on the Nahal Oz military base, where investigators found that Hamas used geotagged social media posts to map the base layout. Israel’s military censor, Brigadier General Kobi Mandelblit, has warned that anyone posting information about strike locations must seek prior approval or face prosecution.
Iran has responded similarly. Its Revolutionary Guard warned that anyone exchanging information that could aid Israel—especially via social media—faces severe punishment. According to Babak Kamiar of Euronews’ Persian desk, such charges may lead to the death penalty. State media even urged Iranians to delete WhatsApp, accusing it of sharing user data with Israel. WhatsApp has denied the claim, affirming its use of end-to-end encryption and privacy protections.
These restrictions come amid a broader trend. Iran blocked WhatsApp and Google Play during the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, only lifting the ban in late 2024. Authorities continue to throttle internet speeds during unrest. Just last week, Iran experienced a 12-hour nationwide blackout, leaving thousands disconnected. Amir Rashidi of the Miaan Group criticised the move, saying the government’s justification of cyber defence doesn’t hold. He pointed out that outages have left people stranded and without basic tools like Google Maps to navigate or escape.
Elon Musk responded by activating Starlink in Iran to restore internet access. But even that action fits into the complex digital battleground where global platforms, private tech, and state power intersect.
Beyond censorship and connectivity, social media warfare in Middle East includes misinformation. Stanford researchers have shown that social media offers adversaries a tactical advantage through geotagging. It enables intelligence gathering without traditional espionage. Meanwhile, platforms also act as real-time political barometers. Professor Philip Seib from USC explained that public sentiment on social media helps governments measure support and predict unrest.
Israel recently arrested a man for posting an Iranian flag and supportive emojis, signalling a zero-tolerance policy for what authorities call sympathy with the enemy. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir confirmed that even online expressions of joy over Iranian attacks would face legal consequences.
Meanwhile, disinformation floods social media feeds. According to Dr Sahar Khamis of the University of Maryland, AI-generated images, mistranslations, and out-of-context videos are widespread. She warned that digital propaganda now plays a role as important as conventional warfare. In 2023, Israel’s foreign ministry used AI-generated video ads filled with emotional and violent imagery. Some of those were removed by Google for policy violations. Euronews’ Arabic team recently traced several viral videos—purporting to show bombings and fighter jets—to video game simulations.
Social media warfare in Middle East is no longer theoretical. It is active, sophisticated, and deeply embedded in modern conflict. Governments now view online platforms not only as sources of public sentiment but also as weapons. As both Israel and Iran push their digital boundaries, civilians find themselves trapped in an invisible war of surveillance, silence, and spin.
