Iranians Trapped Without CASH! IRGC Shuts Down Banks & Internet

There is nothing more terrifying and nerve racking than not being able to access your own money when you need it most. This is what is happening to citizens in Iran, and for a myriad of different reasons.

Tech blackouts due to strikes, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) blocking internet access, as well as banks going completely offline.

Israeli officials have hinted that they are pursuing ongoing cyberattacks on Iran as another facet of their warfare.

However, some evidence suggests these attacks may be coming from inside Iran itself, from rebel groups pushing for regime change. If this is the case, their actions are causing havoc among ordinary Iranians, who are caught in the crossfire of a shadowy cyber war.

Cyberattacks Leave Citizens Stranded at ATMs

On June 17, 2025, Iranians faced a dual crisis: a financial blackout and widespread internet outages. Bank Sepah, Iran’s first bank and a key financial institution, was crippled by a cyberattack that knocked out online banking services, shuttered branches, and rendered ATMs inoperative.

The attack also disrupted debit card services at Ansar Bank and Kosar Bank, while gas stations reliant on Bank Sepah’s payment systems ground to a halt.

Social media captured the public’s frustration, with one user sharing an ATM screen message that read: “Dear customers, it is not possible to withdraw money from the bank because all of Iran’s budget and national resources have been invested in the war for the benefit of the corrupt regime of the Islamic Republic”

Compounding the chaos, internet access across Iran was severely restricted.

The IRGC, known for throttling internet services during periods of unrest, implemented widespread outages, likely to curb communication and protest coordination.

Reports from NetBlocks, a global internet monitor, confirmed significant disruptions in Iran’s internet connectivity on June 17, 2025, with mobile and fixed-line services dropping to below 50% of normal levels in major cities like Tehran and Isfahan. 

These outages not only hampered access to online banking but also severed communication channels

NetBlocks: “Confirmed: Metrics show a collapse in internet connectivity in Iran amid reports of cyberattacks and IRGC restrictions” 

An X post from @IsraelRadar_com at the time noted, “Widespread disruptions in Iranian banks due to cyber attack; locals trying to withdraw money report ATMs not working”.

The hacker group Gonjeshke Darande (“Predatory Sparrow”) claimed responsibility for the Bank Sepah attack, boasting of destroying critical data and accusing the bank of financing IRGC activities and evading sanctions. Their statement thanked “brave Iranians” for assistance, hinting at possible internal collaboration INSIDE IRAN. 

This attack followed a pattern: in August 2024, a massive cyber assault on the Central Bank of Iran stole account holder data and disrupted multiple banks, with ATMs displaying similar mocking messages 

Internet Outages: A Tool of Control and Chaos

Iran’s internet outages are not solely a byproduct of cyberattacks. The IRGC has a history of imposing digital blackouts to suppress dissent, as seen during the 2019 protests and the 2022 Mahsa Amini uprising. These restrictions often target mobile data and social media platforms, limiting access to information and organizing tools. In June 2025, the outages coincided with the banking crisis, amplifying its impact. Citizens attempting to access online banking or contact support found themselves cut off, with VPNs...commonly used to bypass restrictions and also disrupted NetBlocks.

The outages have broader implications. Businesses reliant on digital transactions were paralyzed, and families could not communicate during the crisis.

An X post from @IranWire_EN on June 17, 2025, reported:

“Internet blackouts in Iran are choking off access to banking and news. People can’t even check if their money is safe”

The combination of cyberattacks and state imposed internet restrictions has created a perfect storm, leaving Iranians digitally and financially stranded.

Internal Rebels or External Attacks?

Gonjeshke Darande’s nod to “brave Iranians” suggests collaboration with anti-regime dissidents or hackers within Iran.... The country’s history of protests shows a population eager for change, and some speculate that local groups may be aiding or independently launching cyberattacks. However, no definitive evidence confirms this, and the theory remains speculative. It has been confirmed many times over by numerous independent organizations that over 80% of Iranians want a regime change.

Iran’s government, meanwhile, blames external enemies. State-run IRIB News reported on June 17, 2025, that “technical teams are working to restore affected services” following an Israeli cyberattack . The Central Bank’s spokesperson denied significant disruptions, claiming operations were normal....a claim grossly contradicted by public reports and social media. Literally everywhere, Iranians are saying they can not access their money, and their credit/debit cards do not work.

Add that to the the crazy traffic, the non stop explosions across Tehran, the shining hope of a possible overthrowing of the IRGC...And you get a recipe for chaos.

Many expect the people of Iran to rise up and take back control, though that has yet to be seen.

Conclusion

For Iran, these attacks reveal critical weaknesses in its financial and digital infrastructure. For Israel, they showcase the ability to strike deep within enemy territory. Yet, the collateral damage....Iranians locked out of their accounts and cut off from the internet, raises questions about the purpose of this attack.

Whether driven by Israeli cyber units, internal rebels, or both, it doesn't matter.. The Iranians are moving close and closer to a full on revolt.