Dozens Reported Killed in Iran Protests as Internet Blackout Continues

Widespread anti-government protests in Iran have entered their second week, with reports that dozens of people have been killed amid clashes with security forces and a nationwide internet blackout that has severely limited communication inside and outside the country. Demonstrations, which began on December 28, 2025, initially over soaring inflation and economic hardship, have spread to more than 100 cities across all 31 provinces, evolving into broader criticism of the clerical leadership and regime. Rights groups say at least 65 people have been killed and more than 2,300 arrested since the unrest began, though the true toll remains difficult to verify due to the blackout.

Iranian authorities imposed the blackout on January 8, 2026, cutting off internet access nationwide as protests grew, complicating efforts to assess the scale of the unrest and the government response. Independent monitoring groups reported that hundreds of thousands of demonstrators have marched in major cities including Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan, with many chanting anti-regime slogans and calling for political change. Security forces have been accused by rights organisations of using live ammunition and excessive force, including pellet shots and plastic bullets, leading to numerous deaths and injuries.

Officials loyal to the government have condemned the protests, describing demonstrators as threats to national security and accusing them of plotting against the state. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly blamed foreign enemies for the unrest and warned of severe consequences for violent dissent. Meanwhile, exiled opposition figures such as Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, have called for continued nationwide resistance and urged citizens to expand their protests despite the crackdown and communication shutdown.

With the internet still largely cut off and independent verification limited, international concern is rising over human rights violations and the potential for further escalation. What do you think about the protests and the restrictions on communication during times of civil unrest? Comment below and share your thoughts.

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