Iran Experiences Nationwide Internet Blackout Amid Escalating Protests
Thursday evening saw Iran plunged into a nationwide internet blackout as mass anti-government protests spread across the country. Iranians took to the streets, chanting slogans against the ruling theocratic regime, driven by growing frustration over economic instability and security crackdowns. Authorities swiftly cut internet access and telephone lines following the demonstrations that began in Tehran and other major cities. Despite the blackout, videos of the protests continued to circulate, with the unrest now entering its second week.
“National blackouts tend to be the regime’s go-to strategy when deadly force is about to get used against protesters,” said Alp Toker, director of cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, speaking to CNN. “The goal is to prevent the spread of news about what’s happening on the ground and also to limit international scrutiny.”
Protests Span Multiple Regions
From the Kurdish-majority region of Ilam in the west to the northeast near the Afghan border in Tehran and Mashhad, over 100 cities witnessed demonstrations since the protests first erupted 12 days ago. The unrest has seen participants rallying with both support and opposition to the Iranian government, as captured in video footage reviewed by CNN. Demonstrators have blocked roads and set fires in the capital’s streets, showing the scale of the movement.
Authorities Revert to Crackdown Tactics
Iranian authorities have relied on their established strategy of enforcing strict security measures without addressing the underlying grievances fueling public anger. According to the Norway-based Iran Human Rights NGO (IHRNGO), at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed since the demonstrations began. The report also cited hundreds of injuries and over 2,000 arrests, underscoring the severity of the crackdown.
Exiled Leader’s Call for Unity
At least some protesters appeared to be responding to a call from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who urged Iranians to take to the streets as a “united front” to voice their demands. In a message posted on X, Pahlavi encouraged demonstrators to “rise Iran!” and emphasized the importance of collective action. One of the slogans heard in the videos was “This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return,” reflecting the symbolic significance of his leadership in the protests.
State Media Reports and International Reactions
Footage verified by CNN depicted mass protests across Iran, with demonstrators disrupting traffic and igniting fires in the capital. Iran state media described “scattered” protests in parts of Tehran and other cities overnight, reporting unspecified casualties and damage to public and private property. In a Telegram post on Friday morning, IRIB shared video of the aftermath, showing burning bikes, cars, and a bus, along with the smashed entrance of a subway station.
“I have let them know that if they start killing people, which they tend to do during their riots … we’re going to hit them very hard,” US President Donald Trump told radio host Hugh Hewitt. The statement came as the unrest prompted renewed threats of military action against Iran.
