Iran's government has imposed a nationwide internet blackout, crippling communication networks and limiting public access to information, as the country's deadly protests reach a critical juncture. The sudden shutdown of phone lines and internet services in the capital, Tehran, and other cities across the nation was reported by multiple sources, including NetBlocks, which said that it had observed "a nationwide internet blackout."
The move comes amid escalating digital censorship measures targeting ongoing protests across the country, and with dozens of people killed and thousands detained. The government has faced mounting pressure to address long-simmering grievances among its population, who have taken to the streets in a show of defiance against authoritarian rule.
Protesters, often chanting slogans against the regime from their windows, were seen mobilizing in cities like Mashhad, Esfahan, and Shiraz. Anti-regime activists on social media reported that internet services were also severely restricted or downed in these areas.
The unrest, which has been ongoing for 12 days, has left at least 42 people dead and over 2,260 others detained, according to reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency. The situation remains volatile, with security forces clashing with protesters and government officials threatening severe action if authorities kill protesters.
US President Donald Trump said his administration is monitoring the protests in Iran, warning that it would take "severe" action if authorities killed protesters. However, Vice President JD Vance called on Iran to engage in real negotiations over its nuclear program.
Iran's internet restrictions have long been a source of frustration among its population, particularly young and tech-savvy Iranians who are adept at finding ways to circumvent the regime's online controls. Despite this, the government remains committed to keeping the internet tightly restricted, with social media sites like TikTok, Facebook, and X officially banned.
The situation in Iran is increasingly precarious, with many observers warning that the protests could reach a critical point if not addressed. The international community has been watching developments closely, with US policymakers urging caution while advocating for peaceful resolution.
The move comes amid escalating digital censorship measures targeting ongoing protests across the country, and with dozens of people killed and thousands detained. The government has faced mounting pressure to address long-simmering grievances among its population, who have taken to the streets in a show of defiance against authoritarian rule.
Protesters, often chanting slogans against the regime from their windows, were seen mobilizing in cities like Mashhad, Esfahan, and Shiraz. Anti-regime activists on social media reported that internet services were also severely restricted or downed in these areas.
The unrest, which has been ongoing for 12 days, has left at least 42 people dead and over 2,260 others detained, according to reports from the Human Rights Activists News Agency. The situation remains volatile, with security forces clashing with protesters and government officials threatening severe action if authorities kill protesters.
US President Donald Trump said his administration is monitoring the protests in Iran, warning that it would take "severe" action if authorities killed protesters. However, Vice President JD Vance called on Iran to engage in real negotiations over its nuclear program.
Iran's internet restrictions have long been a source of frustration among its population, particularly young and tech-savvy Iranians who are adept at finding ways to circumvent the regime's online controls. Despite this, the government remains committed to keeping the internet tightly restricted, with social media sites like TikTok, Facebook, and X officially banned.
The situation in Iran is increasingly precarious, with many observers warning that the protests could reach a critical point if not addressed. The international community has been watching developments closely, with US policymakers urging caution while advocating for peaceful resolution.
and no way to communicate or get info 
they're already dying on the streets 
and now you add this to the mix and it's like a perfect storm 
and put some pressure on the iranian gov 
if people are still dying in the streets after 12 days something needs to change 
it's like they're both playing their own games 
while the ppl of iran are just trying to make their voices heard 
The fact that protesters are still going strong despite the risks is really inspiring... but at the same time, it's heartbreaking to see so many people getting hurt. I think the international community needs to do more than just offer words of caution - we need concrete actions to help address this crisis. What do you guys think should happen next? 
with all those people dead and detained... it's like, can't they just talk to each other without killing ppl? 
trying to get info online is literally impossible rn 
they gotta stand up against those gov reps who r being super oppressive 
we should all be supporting them in this!!! 
. The internet blackout is like, a major blow, you know? It's hard enough when you can't even communicate with your family and friends, let alone access info that could help you make change.
. The US should be keeping an eye on this situation and maybe even intervening in some way, but at the same time, we gotta respect Iran's sovereignty and let them figure out their own problems.
I guess that's not how politics works sometimes. Anyway, my thoughts are with those people in Iran right now. They need our support and understanding 
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it's like they're saying "we don't want you to know what's happening" 
and now ppl are getting killed 
and the gov is still just ignoring all this pressure 
? it's like they're trying to keep everyone in the dark 
and meanwhile, the rest of us are over here watching from afar 
i don't think this is how you solve problems, fam... maybe we should be tryna help 'em instead of just talkin 
it sounds like a total nightmare out there, especially w/ all those ppl detenied & killed. i hope the int'l community can put some pressure on them 2 stop this brutality. and btw, isnt it wild that iran has one of the most restricted internet scenes in the world?? like what even r they trying 2 hide? 
). And don't even get me started on the whole "digital censorship measures" thing... sounds like just an excuse for them to control what people think and do 
. Don't get me wrong, I care about the situation in Iran and all, but can we move on to some actual thought-provoking discussion? 
I'm tired of seeing the same old "the government is bad" or "we need to support the protesters" comments over and over again... how about some nuanced analysis or personal perspectives from people directly affected by these events? 
. It's all about maintaining power and control, you know? The fact that protesters were able to find ways to circumvent the controls before is just proof that something fishy was going on 
. It's all about manipulating public opinion and keeping people in the dark 
. I'm seriously considering setting up a VPN just for that reason 
anyway, i hope those protesting for their rights are safe and that the international community keeps putting pressure on Iran to make things right 
. And now Twitter's gonna have a field day with all these ppl sharing vids of protests 
This blackout's gonna fuel more unrest! How can they expect to control the narrative when info's not even flowing freely? 
.
it's like they're saying "we won't be silenced" and i can totally get behind that 
. I mean, what's next? The government is just making a mess of things, and we're stuck watching from afar 
. It's heartbreaking to see so many innocent lives lost