Iranians are once again facing internet disruptions amid widening protests across the country, as authorities warn of foreign interference and move to organise counter-demonstrations.
Users across Iran have reported intermittent disruptions to both home broadband and mobile internet services since Thursday. Data from U.S.-based internet infrastructure firm Cloudflare showed that internet traffic in Iran was approximately 35 percent below normal levels on Saturday compared with previous days.
Iranian authorities have a history of restricting or shutting down internet access during periods of unrest, at times limiting connectivity to a domestic intranet. Internet access was almost completely cut off for several days in mid-June during heightened regional tensions involving Israel and the United States.
While the government has not formally linked the latest disruptions to the ongoing protests, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi said on Sunday that Iran had repelled one of the largest cyberattacks in recent years, which he suggested may have affected bandwidth and connectivity.
Protests Spread Nationwide
The demonstrations began last Sunday among traders and shop owners in downtown Tehran and have since spread to multiple cities. Local reports indicate that at least 10 people have been killed during the unrest.
Among the fatalities was a young business owner in the western city of Hamedan, where protests have persisted amid a heavy security presence. Hamzeh Amraei, the regional governor’s political and security deputy, described the death as “suspicious” and alleged it was carried out by “enemies” seeking to undermine Iranian authorities.
In Qom, a senior security official confirmed that a 17-year-old boy was shot dead, attributing responsibility to what he described as “hostile elements,” without providing further details. He also reported that another individual linked to “terrorist movements” died after a grenade exploded in his possession.
State media reported that a veteran member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) was killed by armed assailants in Malekshahi, Ilam province. The semi-official Fars News Agency said at least three people were killed in the area.
Protests have also been reported in Lorestan province, where the IRGC announced the arrest of three individuals described as leading the recent unrest in the city of Khorramabad.
Government Response and International Tensions
State television has aired alleged confessions by detained individuals, some shown blindfolded or with blurred faces, claiming links to foreign agents or possession of weapons.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking on Saturday, blamed foreign influence for the unrest and said “rioters must be put in their place.” His remarks followed heightened tensions between Tehran and Washington after U.S. President Donald Trump said he would “come to the rescue” of Iranian protesters if they were harmed.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian responded by accusing the United States of hypocrisy, condemning Washington for criticising Iran while supporting Israel’s war in Gaza, which he described as genocidal.
Later on Saturday, authorities organised a large pro-government gathering in downtown Tehran. State media reported that thousands attended, displaying religious imagery to mark a national holiday commemorating Ali ibn Abi Talib, the first Shia imam.
Across the country, banners and posters of Qassem Soleimani, Iran’s former top general killed in a U.S. air strike in Iraq in January 2020, were displayed ahead of events marking the anniversary of his assassination.
Economic Strain and Business Closures
Many businesses, schools, universities, and government offices have remained closed since Wednesday after authorities declared a public holiday, citing cold weather and electricity management. With Iran’s weekend and a religious holiday following, it remains unclear when normal operations will resume.
Several online businesses and social media personalities have announced temporary closures in solidarity with protesters. Demonstrations have also continued on university campuses, particularly in Tehran, with reports of student detentions.
Iran’s economic situation has continued to deteriorate under years of U.S. sanctions reimposed in 2018. Inflation currently stands at around 50 percent, among the highest globally.
In response to mounting economic pressure, the government last week dismissed central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin. His successor, Abdolnaser Hemmati, previously served as economy minister and oversaw a sharp depreciation of the national currency during his earlier tenure as central bank chief. Farzin has since been appointed a special economic adviser to the president.
