Iran Shuts Down Internet Amid Protests Led by Exiled Crown Prince
In an unprecedented move, the Iranian government severed internet access and international phone lines on Thursday night, responding to a mass protest called by exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The protest saw Iranians take to the streets and shout from their windows, marking a significant test of Pahlavi’s influence over the Iranian populace.
This wave of protests, which persisted into Friday morning, is the latest in a series of demonstrations spurred by economic distress. Participants have voiced support for the former shah, whose rule ended with the 1979 Islamic Revolution, a sentiment that was once punishable by death. The movement underscores growing unrest over Iran’s faltering economy.
The Human Rights Activists News Agency, based in the U.S., reports that the unrest has resulted in at least 42 fatalities and over 2,270 arrests. As protests spread, more markets and bazaars have shuttered in solidarity with demonstrators.
Internet Blackout and Government Response
Iran’s internet outage, reported by CloudFlare and NetBlocks, has further intensified pressure on the country’s leadership, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Attempts to reach Iran via phone from Dubai were unsuccessful, with past outages often preceding severe government crackdowns. Despite the internet blackout, Iranian state TV ignored the issue, focusing instead on food subsidies in its Friday morning broadcast.
The protests remain largely leaderless, leaving uncertainty about Pahlavi’s potential influence on their direction. “The lack of a viable alternative has undermined past protests in Iran,” stated Nate Swanson from the Atlantic Council.
Protests and International Reactions
At 8 p.m. local time on Thursday, as urged by Pahlavi, chants erupted across Tehran, with slogans such as “Death to the dictator!” and calls for Pahlavi’s return. Pahlavi accused the regime of cutting communication channels in response, urging European leaders to join U.S. President Donald Trump in holding Iran accountable.
He appealed for the restoration of communication channels, stating, “Do not let the voices of my courageous compatriots be silenced.” The response to Pahlavi’s call for action remains to be seen, especially given his controversial support from Israel after its recent conflict with Iran.
Security Concerns and Casualties
Iranian security forces are reportedly on high alert, with the hard-line Kayhan newspaper releasing a video suggesting the use of drones to identify protestors. The scale of the protests remains unacknowledged by officials, though reports indicate security personnel have been injured or killed.
The judiciary’s Mizan news agency reported a police colonel’s death in Tehran, while Fars news agency confirmed two security force members were killed in Lordegan. Additionally, an attack on a police station in Chenaran resulted in five fatalities, and two Revolutionary Guard members were killed in Kermanshah.
Iran’s Tensions with the U.S.
Iran has seen repeated protests as economic sanctions tightened and the rial currency plummeted. Despite the ongoing unrest, Iranian officials have been cautious in their response, potentially due to Trump’s warning that violent crackdowns would prompt U.S. intervention.
Trump emphasized this stance in a conversation with Hugh Hewitt, reiterating, “If they do that, they’re going to have to pay hell.” He has, however, refrained from meeting with Pahlavi, suggesting it might be premature.
As tensions simmer, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi remains imprisoned, with calls for systemic change echoing through the protests. “Each time, the same demands came up: an end to the Islamic Republic, an end to this patriarchal, dictatorial and religious regime,” stated her son Ali Rahmani.
