In June 2025, Iran implemented deliberate internet slowdowns as a defensive measure to mitigate the risk of cyber attacks amid escalating regional conflicts. This tactic involves throttling internet bandwidth and restricting access to certain online services to reduce the attack surface and limit the ability of threat actors to launch or coordinate cyber operations against Iranian infrastructure. While the exact technical mechanisms of the slowdown are not detailed, such measures typically include limiting international bandwidth, blocking or filtering traffic, and restricting access to critical communication platforms. These actions are often taken in response to heightened geopolitical tensions and the anticipation of cyber offensives targeting government, military, or critical infrastructure networks. The slowdown aims to disrupt command and control channels used by attackers, reduce the propagation speed of malware, and prevent data exfiltration. However, these restrictions also impact legitimate users and businesses within Iran, potentially causing collateral damage to normal internet-dependent operations. No specific vulnerabilities or exploits have been identified in this context, and no direct malware or attack campaigns are reported. The information is sourced from a reputable cybersecurity news outlet and corroborated by community discussions, though technical details remain limited. This event highlights the increasing use of internet control as a cyber defense strategy in conflict zones, reflecting the complex interplay between national security measures and cyber threat landscapes.

For European organizations, the direct technical impact of Iran's internet slowdown is limited since it primarily affects Iranian internet infrastructure. However, indirect consequences could arise, especially for European entities with business ties, supply chains, or digital communications involving Iranian counterparts. The slowdown may disrupt communications, delay transactions, and complicate incident response coordination with partners in Iran. Additionally, the regional conflict and associated cyber defensive measures could escalate cyber tensions, increasing the likelihood of retaliatory cyber attacks targeting European organizations perceived as aligned with opposing parties. Critical sectors such as energy, finance, and telecommunications in Europe could face heightened threat levels from state-sponsored or hacktivist groups exploiting the geopolitical instability. Furthermore, the precedent of using internet throttling as a defensive tactic may inspire similar measures elsewhere, potentially affecting global internet stability and cross-border digital operations. European cybersecurity teams should remain vigilant for shifts in attack patterns, increased phishing or espionage campaigns, and disruptions in digital supply chains linked to the region.

European organizations should implement targeted measures to mitigate indirect risks stemming from the regional conflict and Iran's internet restrictions. These include: 1) Enhancing threat intelligence sharing focused on Middle Eastern geopolitical developments and associated cyber threat actors to anticipate emerging attack vectors. 2) Strengthening network segmentation and zero-trust architectures to limit lateral movement in case of intrusion attempts linked to regional tensions. 3) Reviewing and securing supply chain dependencies involving Iranian or regional partners, including validating the integrity of software and hardware components. 4) Preparing incident response plans that account for potential communication disruptions with Iranian entities, including alternative secure communication channels. 5) Increasing monitoring for phishing campaigns and social engineering attacks exploiting conflict-related narratives. 6) Collaborating with European CERTs and international cybersecurity organizations to coordinate defensive measures and share situational awareness. 7) Conducting employee awareness training on geopolitical cyber risks and the importance of operational security during heightened tensions. These steps go beyond generic advice by focusing on geopolitical context, supply chain resilience, and proactive intelligence-driven defense.