Iran Enacts Nationwide Internet Blackout Amid Deadly Protests
TEHRAN, Iran — As protests continue to sweep across Iran, authorities have activated a nationwide internet “kill switch” in an apparent effort to suppress information and conceal alleged abuses by security forces. The blackout, described by cybersecurity experts as among the most severe ever recorded in the country, has drastically curtailed internet access, leaving much of the population isolated amid escalating unrest.
Human Rights Activists in Iran report that at least 65 people have been killed and over 2,300 arrested since the demonstrations began, with protests now spreading to at least 180 cities nationwide. Most of the fatalities are believed to be protesters, according to Amnesty International, which condemned the use of lethal force against civilians expressing their grievances.
“People in Iran daring to express their anger at decades of repression and demand fundamental change are once again being met with a deadly pattern of security forces unlawfully firing at, chasing, arresting and beating protesters,” Amnesty International stated. The organization’s condemnation aligns with reports from local activists and international observers who have documented a harsh crackdown.
Cybersecurity expert Alp Toker, CEO of NetBlocks, explained that the Iranian regime’s decision to flip the internet kill switch is a top-down, centralized measure designed to stifle communication and obscure the government’s actions. “This is Iran’s war against its own population using digital means,” Toker told Fox News Digital. He noted that the blackout began as a piecemeal effort but quickly expanded to cover the entire country, potentially lasting for days or weeks as the government attempts to cover up crimes.
NetBlocks has been tracking the near-total disconnection, which affects not only social media and news outlets but also critical services such as banking and emergency communications. The blackout is a stark escalation from previous shutdowns, such as those during the 2019 protests, when internet restrictions were implemented more gradually.
The Iranian government’s use of this digital censorship mechanism is reminiscent of Cold War-era tactics, enabling authorities to triangulate satellite transmissions and sever internet access with precision. There are no legal avenues for citizens to challenge the shutdown, underscoring the regime’s control over information flow.
Meanwhile, the protests continue to grow in scale and intensity. Demonstrators have taken to the streets in cities across the country, with some reports indicating clashes between armed protesters and security forces in Tehran. The unrest has also resonated internationally, with demonstrators outside Iran’s embassies, including in London, where protesters tore down the Islamic regime’s flag and raised the pre-revolution symbol.
The situation has drawn international concern, with the U.S. Department of State and human rights organizations urging restraint and accountability. The Iranian regime’s crackdown, combined with the internet blackout, complicates efforts to verify reports and provide humanitarian assistance.
As the crisis unfolds, the world watches closely, aware that the Iranian government’s use of digital repression tools marks a troubling development in the ongoing struggle between authoritarian control and popular demands for change. The internet shutdown not only silences dissent but also hinders the global community’s ability to bear witness to the events on the ground.
For now, Iranians remain largely cut off from the outside world, as the regime tightens its grip amid an unprecedented wave of protests challenging decades of repression.
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