‘It’s like being walled in’: young Iranians try to break through internet blackout

Desperate for news and contact during a 13-day shutdown, Iranians searched for proxy links outside the country

Middle East crisis - live updates

Amir* hasn't slept much in days. From his apartment in northern Tehran, the 23-year-old has spent his nights searching for proxy links, fragile digital lifelines that briefly break through the internet blackout.

For 13 days Iran was under a near-total internet shutdown, severely limiting access to information, from the beginning of the Israeli strikes until later on Wednesday. A group of young Iranians are, however, worked non-stop to ensure their voices reach the outside world.