Iran has been plunged into a near-total internet blackout as nationwide protests triggered by a severe economic crisis have escalated into the most significant unrest in three years. The government's move to sever online connectivity comes amid a violent crackdown by security forces, which has reportedly left dozens of demonstrators dead.
Nationwide Unrest and Escalating Violence
The protests, which began in late December, have now spread across all 31 of Iran's provinces. The trigger was a sudden, sharp devaluation of the national currency and the government's decision to end a critical subsidy for importers, causing the price of basic groceries to soar. According to the Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR), at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed by security forces since the demonstrations started.
Wednesday marked the bloodiest single day of the now 12-day movement, with 13 protesters confirmed killed. "The evidence shows that the scope of the crackdown is becoming more violent and more extensive every day," stated IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam. He added that hundreds more have been wounded and over 2,000 people arrested.
Internet Shutdown and Symbolic Acts of Defiance
On Thursday night, internet freedom monitor NetBlocks reported a near-complete national internet outage, a tactic Iranian authorities have used previously to stifle dissent and control the narrative. The blackout followed earlier disruptions in the western city of Kermanshah. The outage severely hampers the ability of citizens to communicate and share evidence of the state's response.
In a powerful act of defiance, protesters in the southern Fars province toppled a statue of Qassem Suleimani, the former commander of the Revolutionary Guards' Quds Force who is revered as a national hero by the regime. This symbolic challenge underscores the depth of public anger, which has moved beyond purely economic grievances.
Political Pressure and International Reaction
The protest movement, while not yet as large as the 2022 'Woman, Life, Freedom' uprising, has clearly alarmed Iran's leadership. In a notable move, President Masoud Pezeshkian called for "utmost restraint" and urged security forces to avoid "any violent or coercive behaviour." However, state-aligned media have increasingly portrayed demonstrators as violent rioters and foreign-backed saboteurs.
Internationally, the situation has drawn sharp comments. Former US President Donald Trump threatened intervention if Iran killed protesters, prompting a fierce rebuke from Tehran. Iran's army chief responded by threatening pre-emptive strikes on states that threaten the country. Meanwhile, exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi has attempted to position himself as a leader for the decentralised movement, urging nightly protests from citizens' windows.
Analysts suggest the regime may feel less secure than in 2022, following its direct military confrontation with Israel in June. Despite the violence, the current crackdown has not yet reached the same intensity as the response to the Mahsa Amini protests. However, with the economy in freefall and everyday life becoming unaffordable for millions, the underlying pressures show no sign of abating.
