Iran threatens citizens with 10 years in prison for sharing videos of Israeli strikes

Iran has threatened its citizens with lengthy prison terms for sharing footage of Israeli strikes, officially confirming attacks on military targets in three provinces.

Israel struck several targets in Iran on Friday nightwith videos on social media showing missiles flying over Tehran.

But Iranian police have warned that sharing images or information with “hostile media linked to the Zionist regime” is a crime punishable by one to 10 years in prison.

The warning comes as Iranians use VPNs to bypass internet restrictions and post eyewitness accounts on social media.

This threat has particular weight in Iran, where the authorities classify Western media as enemy organizations and where the most serious charge of “waging war against God” carries the death penalty.

Meanwhile, Iran’s national air defense headquarters admitted Israel struck “military centers” in three provinces – the capital Tehran, southern Khuzestan and western Ilam.

Stating that their air defenses “successfully intercepted and countered this aggressive action,” officials acknowledged that “limited damage was done to some areas.”

“Despite previous warnings … to refrain from any adventurous actions, this illegitimate regime carried out a provocative attack early this morning,” the headquarters said, describing the Israeli operation as “criminal and illegal.”

Social networks/Telegram/Mamlekate

The announcement marks Iran’s first official confirmation of specific locations targeted by the Israeli operation.

The military command urged citizens to maintain “unity and calm” by following news only in state-run media, warning against “rumors spread by hostile media.”

The dual approach — threatening citizens through information sharing while officially acknowledging the strikes — suggests that authorities are trying to maintain tight control over the narrative as details of the attacks emerge.

Iranian authorities have also warned that they may retaliate against the strikes.

“Iran is ready to respond to any act of aggression by Israel,” the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency quoted unnamed officials as saying.

“Iran reserves the right to respond to any aggression and there is no doubt that Israel will receive an appropriate response to any action it takes,” it added.

State television began a coordinated effort early Saturday to predict a normal situation in the country following the Israeli strikes, even as military analysts on the same channels called for swift Israeli retaliation.

The contrast between calming footage and aggressive rhetoric was played out on state broadcasts, with channels broadcasting live scenes from various cities to show that everything was business as usual.

However, the demonstration of calm was repeatedly interrupted by experts who demanded a tough answer.

“They have officially attacked Iran directly and it has to have an appropriate response to balance it,” one analyst said on state television.

Other commentators took more threatening tones.

“From now on, they should move to a shelter and wait for our response,” another expert warned on air. “They just committed suicide and have to face the consequences.”

Fear of a wider conflict sparked a stampede from Tehran on Saturday as residents rushed gas stations and tried to flee the capital.

Social media/X/mamlekate

Long queues formed at gas stations across the city as worried residents prepared for a possible evacuation, despite official calls for calm.

On Saturday, Iranians expressed growing frustration and concern as flight cancellations and panic buying gripped Tehran.

Residents say they are increasingly tired of being drawn into the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.

“We didn’t do anything to deserve this,” Ali, a resident of Tehran, told The Telegraph.

According to him, the morning strikes disturbed a peaceful night in the capital.

“My cousin woke me up, he was worried and asked what we should do,” Ali said.

His comments reflect the growing exhaustion of ordinary Iranians caught between regional powers.

“Now it has turned into a sad routine for us,” he added. “We’re really sick of this round, now we have to worry about Iran’s response.”

Another resident of the capital mentioned that for the second time in a month he does not let his daughter go to school.

“I told her not to go to school today, not for safety reasons, but for her mental health,” Mohsen said.

“She was under a lot of pressure when she heard about the war and I don’t want her to hear anything today,” he added.

Iran and Israel have been attacking each other since April after the top commander of the Revolutionary Guards was killed in the Syrian capital.

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