Internet has been shut down for 84+ hours in Iran to suppress anti-regime protests. The violent crackdown has resulted in 544+ deaths and 10,681+ people arrested. Exiled Prince Pahlavi has supported the rebellion.
Tehran: On January 8, in an attempt to suppress the protests, the Khamenei regime shut down the internet throughout the country, cutting off all access to the country. Posted by NetBlocks on Monday As Iran begins a new day, metrics show a nationwide internet blackout has passed the 84-hour mark. Years of research on digital censorship point to these methods.
Posting a video from Iran, journalist and activist Masih Alinejad said, “Video from Tehran via Starlink: Despite mass killings and widespread repression, people are still on the streets.” According to the latest figures from the Human Rights Activists News Agency, 544 people have been confirmed dead during the demonstrations, and dozens of additional cases are still under investigation. More than 10,681 people have been put in jail after their arrest. Demonstrations have taken place in 585 places across the country, in 186 cities, in all 31 provinces.
The protests began on December 28 over deteriorating economic conditions and have since grown into larger demonstrations protesting the leadership of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Meanwhile, exiled Iranian Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a vocal supporter of the protesters, supporting a nationwide movement against the Islamic Republic. In a video message on Twitter, he said, “I declare another phase of the national uprising to overthrow the Islamic Republic and reclaim our beloved Iran. Inside Iran, all institutions and mechanisms responsible for spreading the regime’s false propaganda and cutting off communications, in addition to occupying and maintaining the main streets of cities, are considered legitimate targets. Government employees, and the armed and security forces have a chance to join with the people and become helpers of the nation, or murderers of the nation. There is an alternative to complicity and buying eternal shame for yourself and the curse of the nation.”
Addressing Iranians living abroad, he stressed that Iranian embassies and consulates belong to the people and should fly the national flag of Iran instead of the flag of the Islamic Republic. “The regime is facing a serious shortage of repressive forces, and the increased firing on the people is not due to power, but due to the lack of mercenaries and the fear of rapid decline and fall. We will not allow these criminals to shed the blood of ours and our youth on the ground. We will not give them this chance. We will not back down. Iran’s freedom is close. The blood of Iran’s immortal children shed on the ground leads us to victory. We are not alone. Global aid will also be soon. Wait for my next messages. We will soon take back our beloved Iran and celebrate freedom and victory everywhere in Iran.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump said the Islamic Republic appeared to be crossing the “red line” set by his administration, following reports of killings of protesters, prompting Washington to consider what he described as “very strong options”. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, when asked whether Iran had crossed the red line he had drawn over its treatment of protesters, Trump said, “It looks like they’re starting to do so.”
The US President referred to the ongoing protests in the Islamic Republic, saying that those in power are ruling through violence. He stressed that the situation is being closely monitored at the highest levels of the US government. It seems that some people have been killed who should not have been killed. These are violent – if you call them leaders, I don’t know if they are leaders or they just rule through violence – but we are looking at it very seriously. The army is keeping an eye on this. We are considering some very strong options; We will take a decision.
The US president did not elaborate on specific actions Washington could take, but according to a New York Times report, Trump was briefed on several military options targeting Iran.