Tehran, January 9, 2026 – Iran experienced a nationwide internet blackout starting Thursday evening, January 8, 2026, as mass anti-government protests—now in their second week—intensified across the country, fueled by severe economic hardship, rampant inflation, and widespread anger at the ruling theocratic regime's security crackdowns.
Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed the near-total disruption, reporting that connectivity dropped sharply around 8:30 p.m. local time, with Iran's internet backbone provider experiencing a complete cutoff in multiple regions, including Tehran, Kermanshah, Esfahan, Shiraz, and others. The outage, described as a "digital blackout," severely limited communication, video sharing, and coordination among demonstrators, a tactic authorities have repeatedly used during past unrest to curb information flow and reduce international scrutiny. Landline telephone services were also cut in several areas, further isolating citizens.
The blackout followed massive street demonstrations that erupted in Tehran and dozens of other cities after exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi called for nationwide protests at 8 p.m. local time. Videos and eyewitness accounts—shared before the full shutdown—showed thousands chanting slogans such as "Death to the dictator," "Death to the Islamic Republic," and pro-monarchist calls like "This is the last battle, Pahlavi will return!" Crowds blocked roads, set fires to public property including banks, mosques, and vehicles, and clashed with security forces. Protests spread to over 100 cities and towns, from the western Ilam province near Iraq to northeastern Mashhad and southern regions.
The demonstrations, which began on December 28, 2025, initially focused on economic grievances—galloping inflation (reported at over 48%), a collapsing rial currency, soaring prices for essentials, and shortages—quickly evolved into explicit demands for regime change. Sparked by bazaar merchant strikes in Tehran, the unrest has involved students, workers, and ordinary citizens, with widespread participation in smaller towns facing high unemployment and poverty.
Human rights organizations reported significant casualties amid the violent suppression. Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), a Norway-based group, documented at least 45 protesters killed, including eight children, since the protests started, with hundreds injured and over 2,000 detained. Other monitors like the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) cited similar figures, with at least 42 deaths (including protesters, bystanders, and some security personnel) and thousands arrested. Security forces have been accused of using live ammunition, tear gas, batons, and raids on hospitals to detain wounded individuals.
Iranian state media acknowledged "scattered" protests and property damage but downplayed the scale, blaming "terrorist agents" from the U.S. and Israel for inciting violence. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in remarks on Friday, condemned protesters as "vandals" acting to "please" U.S. President Donald Trump, vowing the regime would "not back down" and signaling a continued hardline response.
The unrest has drawn sharp international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump, in a radio interview and Truth Social posts, warned that Washington would respond forcefully if Iranian forces continued killing peaceful protesters, stating the U.S. is "locked and loaded" and would "hit them very hard" or "come to their rescue." Trump reiterated threats made earlier in the crisis, framing support for demonstrators as a defense of human rights. Iran's foreign minister labeled the warnings "reckless and dangerous," while state media accused protesters of serving foreign interests.
Cybersecurity analysts note that nationwide shutdowns often precede intensified crackdowns, as seen in previous waves like the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests, to prevent viral videos of violence and coordination. Despite the blackout, some footage continued circulating via satellite and VPNs, showing fires in government buildings and large crowds.
The protests represent one of the most serious challenges to the Islamic Republic in years, exposing deep public disillusionment with economic mismanagement, sanctions' effects, and political repression. As the blackout persists and communications remain severed, fears grow of further escalation and higher casualties.
Observers warn that without addressing root causes—such as inflation, unemployment, and lack of freedoms—the cycle of protest and suppression could continue, potentially destabilizing the regime further.
