The economic website Zaman, operated in Iran, reported that, based on information it received, the top authorities of the Islamic Republic, in an official and binding directive, ordered the immediate cut-off of users’ access in Iran to the international internet in the event of the start of a new war.

According to this directive, cutting access to the global internet under such circumstances has been set as an “executive obligation.”

However, more details of this directive—including its issuance date, the exact scope of the restrictions, potentially exempted services, and the mechanism for restoring internet connectivity—are not in place.

The order is being reported at a time when the Islamic Republic has, in recent years, imposed extensive restrictions on citizens’ access to the internet.

The report of the issuance of this directive comes as tensions between the Islamic Republic, the United States, and Israel intensify, raising the likelihood of the start of another round of military conflict.