Iranian Regime Imposes Gag Order on Local Media as US Intensifies Military Campaign

TEHRAN, July 17: Iranian authorities have instructed domestic media outlets to restrict reporting on damage to civilian infrastructure caused by ongoing US airstrikes, according to a confidential directive issued by the Supreme National Security Council and obtained by Iran International.

The order comes as the United States continues its military campaign against Iran, with fighting entering its seventh consecutive night following the collapse of a ceasefire between the two countries.

According to the directive, newspapers, broadcasters and online media were told to avoid publishing detailed information about attacks on civilian facilities, infrastructure damage or disruptions to essential public services. The council said such information could help "the enemy assess the effectiveness of its attacks."

Media organizations were instructed to obtain information only through the highest-ranking provincial officials responsible for affected facilities and to avoid language that could create "fear and alarm" among the public.

Instead of describing the extent of damage or service disruptions, outlets were directed to use phrases such as "the issue is under review and being resolved." The directive also stated that Iran's Health Ministry and emergency services are the only authorized sources for reporting civilian casualty figures.

The censorship order follows another night of extensive US strikes. US Central Command (CENTCOM) said fighter aircraft, drones and naval vessels launched precision attacks against dozens of military targets, including air defense systems, coastal surveillance sites, logistics facilities and maritime capabilities on Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas.

Reports indicate the US campaign could widen further. According to Axios, the Trump administration plans to deploy dozens of additional aerial refueling aircraft to Israel as President Donald Trump considers expanding operations to include Iranian power plants, critical infrastructure and additional nuclear-related facilities.

Iranian media reported that the latest strikes damaged five bridges in Hormozgan province, the railway station in Bandar Khamir and Iranshahr Airport in southeastern Iran.

State-run IRNA reported that seven people were killed in attacks on bridges in Bandar Khamir.

The strikes also reportedly damaged power transmission lines in Bandar Abbas and nearby areas, causing electricity outages. In Chabahar, a monitoring tower at the port was destroyed. Iranian officials said the structure was used to oversee commercial shipping, while the United States described it as part of an Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) surveillance network used to monitor and target vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

With most international media organizations lacking permanent bureaus inside Iran, the latest directive is expected to further centralize wartime reporting under state control, making independent verification of battlefield developments, civilian casualties and infrastructure damage increasingly difficult.