Iran experienced a nationwide internet blackout on Thursday as protests over a worsening economic crisis intensified across the country, according to online monitoring group Netblocks.
Netblocks said the disruption followed “a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests across the country,” adding that the outage severely limited the public’s ability to communicate at a critical time. Internet firm Cloud flare also reported widespread connectivity problems, attributing them to government interference.
Demonstrations have spread across Iran since late December, driven by public anger over soaring living costs and the sharp devaluation of the Iranian Rial. Protesters gathered in multiple cities, including Tehran, with international media reporting that thousands took to the streets in the capital starting around 8 p.m. local time (16:30 GMT).
Residents said mobile internet services were restricted in several major cities, while attempts to connect to Iranian landlines and mobile phones from abroad, including from Dubai, failed. Similar communication shutdowns in the past have preceded intensified government crackdowns.
At least 21 people, including members of the security forces, have been killed since the protests began, according to a tally by AFP citing local media and official statements.
The growing unrest has increased pressure on Iran’s civilian government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The restrictions were widely seen as linked to renewed calls for protests on Thursday and Friday issued by Reza Pahlavi, son of Iran’s last shah, who was overthrown in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Iranian authorities have not acknowledged the full scale of the demonstrations, which continued across many areas even before the planned evening protests. However, state-aligned media have reported injuries and deaths among security personnel.
The hardline Kayhan newspaper published a video claiming security forces would use drones to identify protesters, underscoring official concern over the unrest.
The protests, now in their second week, were initially sparked by demonstrations by merchants in Tehran and have since spread nationwide, reflecting deepening frustration over Iran’s economic conditions.
