Iranians Don't Have a Missile Alert System, So Volunteers Built Their Own Warning Map

Following the escalation of military tensions that began more than three weeks ago, Iranian civilians face mounting uncertainty as U.S. military operations have reportedly targeted over 9,000 sites across the country. This situation has created a pervasive atmosphere of anxiety for residents in Tehran and throughout Iran. The absence of a government-provided early warning system, combined with the country's most prolonged internet shutdown to date, has left citizens navigating a significant information gap.

The challenge extends beyond recent military actions. Iran's lack of public emergency alert infrastructure and restrictive digital policies have long affected millions of citizens. In response to the 12-day Israel-Iran conflict last year, a coalition of Iranian digital rights advocates and volunteers developed an innovative solution: Mahsa Alert, a comprehensive mapping platform that provides real-time updates and emergency information. While this grassroots initiative cannot fully substitute for an official government early warning system, it delivers push notifications regarding Israeli military advisories, documents confirmed strike locations, and maintains functionality during network outages.

Developing a Community-Driven Emergency Response Platform

Ahmad Ahmadian, President and CEO of the U.S.-based digital rights organization Holistic Resilience, explains the critical need that sparked the project's development. "There is no emergency alert in Iran," Ahmadian states. "This was where we saw the traction, we saw the need, and we continued working on it with the volunteers, with some open source intelligence experts, and used this to map the repression machinery ecosystem of Iran and surveillance."

The Mahsa Alert platform operates as both a web-based service and mobile application available for Android and iOS devices. The development team deliberately prioritized creating a lightweight, user-friendly interface that functions across various devices and technical specifications. Recognizing Iran's restrictive internet policies and intermittent connectivity issues, the platform was specifically engineered for offline operation. Users can update the application during brief periods of internet access by downloading compact APK files containing new data. These updates are intentionally minimal, with recent releases averaging 60 kilobytes and typically not exceeding 100 kilobytes.

Comprehensive Mapping and Verification Protocols

The platform features multiple data layers, including verified attack locations that undergo rigorous fact-checking processes. Ahmadian's team collaborates with open-source intelligence (OSINT) investigators to authenticate reports using video footage and images submitted through a dedicated Telegram bot or shared across social media platforms. The system also displays areas where Israeli forces have issued evacuation warnings, incorporating user-submitted reports to create a comprehensive situational awareness tool.

"We have to go through a due diligence and verification process and tag them before putting them on the map," Ahmadian explains, noting that the team currently manages a backlog of over 3,000 reports requiring verification or further investigation. Beyond documenting military strikes, Mahsa Alert identifies potential "danger zones" that could face elevated attack risks, including facilities connected to Iran's nuclear program or military installations, enabling civilians to make informed decisions about avoiding these areas. According to Ahmadian's analysis, 90 percent of confirmed attacks occurred at locations previously mapped on the platform.

The comprehensive mapping system extends beyond immediate security concerns, incorporating thousands of CCTV camera locations, suspected government checkpoints, and various domestic infrastructure elements. Essential services such as hospitals and pharmacies are prominently featured alongside religious sites and historical protest locations, providing users with a multifaceted resource for navigation and safety planning.

Rapid User Adoption and Global Recognition

Mahsa Alert has gained significant visibility across international social media platforms as Iranian diaspora communities share platform information, encouraging broader adoption among potential users. The application's user base has experienced remarkable growth, with Ahmadian reporting a surge "from near zero to over 100,000 daily active users in a matter of days." Total user engagement has reached approximately 335,000 individuals this year, with initial adoption occurring during the Iranian government's intensive response to anti-government demonstrations in January. Based on available user analytics, approximately 28 percent of platform access originates from within Iran.

The platform's name honors Mahsa Amini, the 22-year-old woman whose death in police custody sparked widespread reform protests throughout Iran in 2022. Mahsa Alert emerged from the fundamental need for reliable, ground-level information across Iran during periods of civil unrest and ongoing digital restrictions. Following years of political upheaval and systematic efforts by Iranian authorities to control digital communication channels, residents continue to face substantial barriers in accessing accurate, timely information about local conditions and safety concerns.