Reporters Without Borders (RSF) accused Iran Tuesday of interfering with a short-wave radio frequency used to broadcast independent Farsi-language news into the country. RSF said interference recently appeared on the 15,500 kHz frequency used by a station it launched with Radio For Peace International to provide independent news coverage to Iranian audiences. The broadcasts were created to bypass internet restrictions and state media controls by transmitting news from independent Persian-language outlets, including IranWire.
According to RSF, the interference has distorted broadcasts in some regions and completely blocked reception in others. The organization believes Iran is likely responsible, arguing that the disruption reflects official concern over citizens’ access to independent reporting.
The alleged jamming follows the nationwide internet blackout. Earlier this year, the Committee to Protect Journalists and RSF warned that Iran used the internet blackout to conceal a crackdown on independent media and restrict the flow of information. Internet disruptions have continued during the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US. According to internet-monitoring platform Cloudflare Radar, internet traffic in Iran reportedly fell by approximately 98 percent shortly after the bombing campaign began.
It also follows precedent in which Iran has been previously accused of blocking satellite service and restricting access to foreign media. Iran has raised concerns before international telecommunications bodies over unauthorized satellite internet services operating within its borders. Since 2023, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Radio Regulations Board has considered complaints by Iran regarding the operation of Starlink terminals without government authorization. Iran has argued that such transmissions violate international telecommunications rules, while the United States has disputed that interpretation.
The radio initiative was launched specifically to address such disruptions. Unlike internet-based services, short-wave radio can continue operating during network shutdowns and is often viewed as one of the few remaining methods of reaching audiences in heavily censored environments.
Signal interference has long generated legal and diplomatic concerns. While states generally exercise broad authority over communications within their own territory, cross-border interference may affect transmissions beyond national borders and raise questions under international telecommunications regulations. Enforcement, however, has historically proven difficult, with disputes typically addressed through diplomatic channels rather than formal sanctions.
