Iranian State TV Hacked to Broadcast Exiled Crown Prince Amid Deadly Protests
TEHRAN, Iran — In a rare and dramatic breach of state media control, Iranian state television was hacked on Sunday to broadcast footage of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calling on the military to abandon the Islamic Republic and side with protesters demanding sweeping reforms. The incident occurred amid a near-total internet blackout as the country enters the 22nd day of nationwide protests that have left nearly 4,000 people dead, according to multiple reports.
Two video clips of Pahlavi, the son of the late Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, were aired on several state channels, accompanied by graphics urging security forces not to “point your weapons at the people” and to “join the nation for the freedom of Iran.” The Associated Press confirmed the authenticity of the footage, which was broadcast despite tight government censorship and severe restrictions on communications.
Since early January, Iran has been gripped by demonstrations sparked by economic hardship and political repression. The government’s crackdown has been brutal, with human rights organizations reporting thousands of casualties. The Iranian regime has also imposed a sweeping digital blackout, severely limiting access to the internet and social media platforms to stifle dissent.
In his message, Pahlavi appealed directly to the Iranian military, calling on soldiers and officers to break ranks with the ruling clerics and align themselves with the people’s demands for freedom and justice. “I have a special message for the military,” he said. “You are the nation’s defenders, not the regime’s enforcers.”
The hacking of state television marks a significant escalation in the ongoing unrest and highlights the growing sophistication of opposition forces. It also underscores the deep divisions within Iranian society and the security apparatus.
International observers have expressed concern over the escalating violence and the regime’s harsh response. The U.S. Department of State has condemned the crackdown and called for restraint and respect for human rights. Meanwhile, the United Nations has urged all parties to seek peaceful solutions and protect civilians.
Protests have spread beyond Tehran to multiple cities, with demonstrators holding up images of Pahlavi and chanting slogans against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The exiled crown prince, who has lived abroad since the 1979 Iranian Revolution, has become a symbolic figure for many opposition groups.
Despite the government’s efforts to suppress information, videos and images of the protests continue to circulate globally, fueling solidarity movements and calls for international intervention. The Human Rights Watch has documented extensive evidence of abuses, including mass arrests and extrajudicial killings.
As the crisis deepens, the hacking of state media to broadcast Pahlavi’s message may signal a turning point in the struggle for Iran’s future. Analysts suggest that the regime faces unprecedented challenges to its authority, with the military’s loyalty increasingly uncertain.
The coming days will be crucial as the world watches whether Iran’s security forces heed Pahlavi’s call or continue their crackdown on dissent, a choice that could determine the course of the nation’s turbulent path.
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