Iran Under Internet Blackout Amid Anti-Khamenei Protest and Deadly Clashes

Iran Under Internet Blackout as Anti-Khamenei Protest Spreads Nationwide, Dozens Feared Killed in Violent Crackdown

Iran has been plunged into a nationwide communications blackout as large-scale demonstrations demanding political and economic change spread across the country. The Iran under internet blackout situation coincided with a renewed wave of unrest sparked by economic collapse and fueled by growing political anger toward the country’s leadership.

Internet monitoring groups reported that connectivity across Iran dropped sharply, with both internet access and international phone lines disrupted. The blackout began late Thursday night, effectively cutting millions of Iranians off from the outside world as protests intensified.

Dozens Feared Killed as Clashes Escalate

According to human rights groups operating outside Iran, at least 42 people are feared dead since the protests began, with more than 2,000 arrests reported. The deaths reportedly occurred during violent clashes between security forces and demonstrators across multiple provinces.

Iranian authorities have acknowledged fatalities but cited lower figures, stating that at least 21 people, including members of the security forces, were killed. Conflicting accounts have further fueled international concern over transparency and the scale of violence.

Human rights organizations have accused Iranian security forces of using excessive and unlawful force, including live ammunition, metal-pellet shotguns, water cannons, and beatings to disperse crowds.

Protests Triggered by Economic Collapse

The current wave of unrest began on December 28, following a sharp collapse of Iran’s national currency, the rial, which fell to record lows. The economic crisis disrupted markets, shuttered businesses, and severely impacted daily life for ordinary citizens.

Initial demonstrations reportedly began with the shutdown of Tehran’s historic bazaar before spreading rapidly to other major cities, including Isfahan, Abadan, Khorramabad, Kermanshah, and Lorestan.

While the protests initially focused on inflation, unemployment, and declining purchasing power, they have increasingly taken on a political character. Chants against the ruling clerical establishment and slogans demanding systemic change have been reported across the country.

Anti-Khamenei Protest Takes Center Stage

As demonstrations grew, slogans directly targeting the country’s leadership became more prominent. The Anti-Khamenei Protest movement has seen protesters openly challenge the authority of the Supreme Leader, a rare and dangerous act in Iran’s tightly controlled political environment.

Reports from multiple locations described crowds chanting slogans such as “Death to the dictator” and calling for the return of alternative political leadership. The shift from economic grievance to political dissent marks a significant escalation in the unrest.

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Violence, Arson, and Acts of Defiance

As protests intensified, incidents of arson and direct confrontation with security forces were reported. In Isfahan, a building linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was reportedly set on fire. In Tehran, demonstrators allegedly attacked security forces and torched their vehicles.

Iranian state-aligned media confirmed several deadly incidents involving security personnel, including shootings and stabbings in different provinces. These events underscore the increasingly volatile nature of the unrest.

Role of Exiled Opposition Leadership

The demonstrations coincided with a protest call issued by an exiled opposition figure, who praised demonstrators for disrupting the functioning of the state and urged continued action. In messages circulated online before the blackout, he encouraged disciplined and sustained protests, calling young Iranians the driving force behind the movement.

He also appealed to international leaders to support efforts to restore communication access, emphasizing that the internet blackout was preventing Iranians from documenting events and organizing peacefully.

International Reactions and Warnings

The unfolding crisis has drawn sharp reactions from global leaders. Officials in the United States warned Iranian authorities against using lethal force on demonstrators, while European leaders condemned what they described as excessive violence against civilians.

Human rights groups have urged immediate restoration of internet access, warning that communication blackouts often coincide with severe crackdowns and human rights abuses.

Iranian officials, however, have blamed foreign interference for the unrest, asserting that external actors are exploiting economic grievances to destabilize the country.

Protests Continue Despite Blackout

Despite the communications shutdown and heavy security presence, demonstrations reportedly continued into the night across Tehran and several western cities. Kurdish opposition groups called for a general strike in western Iran, which was said to have been widely observed in dozens of towns.

The persistence of protests despite the Iran under internet blackout highlights the depth of public frustration and the challenges authorities face in containing the unrest.

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A Nation at a Critical Moment

As Iran remains cut off from much of the world, uncertainty surrounds the true scale of the violence and the future trajectory of the protests. The combination of economic collapse, political dissent, and digital repression has placed the country at a critical crossroads.

Whether the Anti-Khamenei Protest movement can sustain momentum under intense pressure remains unclear, but the current unrest has already become one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s leadership in recent years.

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