We, the Iranian students and university staff in Australia, come from diverse political, religious, and ethnic backgrounds. Despite our differences, we are united by a shared and deeply distressing reality: it has become extremely hard to communicate with our families in Iran, caused by internet restrictions imposed by the dictatorship regime. It is severely affecting our academic performance, professional responsibilities, and overall wellbeing. In this moment, we seek not only support, but also a voice.

For more than 34 days, widespread internet shutdowns in Iran, as reported by independent monitoring organisations such as NetBlocks, have cut us off from our families. These disruptions are not the result of natural disasters or attacks to network infrastructures, but rather a deliberate and systematic restriction imposed by the dictatorship regime. However, access to the internet and the free flow of information are not privileges, they are fundamental human rights, as enshrined in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The mental health impact of this situation is severe. We are unable to check on families’ safety, offer reassurance, or warn them of possible threats, as they cannot access trustworthy and timely news. Many of us live with constant fear for our loved ones, especially several reports of threats and reprisals against families inside Iran. These fears are compounded by the actions of the IRGC, designated a terrorist organisation by the Australian Government, which has a well-documented history of violently suppressing civilians during economic and social protests over 47 years of oppression. This includes the killing of thousands of protesters in 2022 during the women’s rights movement and again in early 2026 during protests triggered by dire economic conditions. The absence of communication, combined with uncertainty and fear, has led to increased levels of stress, anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion. The increasing number of visits to university Counselling and Psychological Services, an essential and much-appreciated support, reflects its scale and urgency.

At the same time, we believe that our voices remain largely unheard in Australian universities. The realities of what we and our families are experiencing in Iran are not adequately represented, and misinformation about the realities in Iran continues to circulate within Australian academic environments, such as The University of Melbourne. This silence not only deepens our isolation but also allows false narratives about Iran to persist, narratives that further marginalise our community and distort the truth of what is happening.

We therefore respectfully call upon:

• Australian universities and the Australian Government to formally acknowledge the impact of Iran’s internet shutdown on Iranian students and staff, recognising it as a serious academic and mental health concern.
• Australian universities to provide accessible and culturally sensitive mental health and wellbeing support for affected students, including flexibility where academic performance has been impacted.
• Australian universities to create safe and inclusive platforms, such as town halls or dedicated forums, where Iranian students and staff can share their lived experiences, ensuring their voices are heard without fear of misrepresentation or harm.
• Australian universities to actively counter misinformation by incorporating the perspectives of Iranian students in discussions, events, and academic environments.