Iran’s nationwide internet shutdown has entered its fourth day, fuelling fears among activists that the blackout is concealing a deadly crackdown on protesters. According to monitoring group NetBlocks, connectivity in the country has been suppressed for more than 84 hours.
“As Iran wakes up to a new day, metrics show the national internet blackout is past the 84-hour mark,” NetBlocks said, adding that access could still be reached through shortwave radio, satellite phones, Starlink and by connecting to cell networks near the borders.
Demonstrations have continued across the country despite the blackout. Activists abroad have held solidarity rallies, including in Washington, where protesters gathered near the White House calling for international attention to what they described as the biggest anti-government uprising in more than three years.
Iranian protesters have been on the streets for nearly two weeks, initially driven by anger over the soaring cost of living. The movement has since expanded into broader calls for an end to the clerical government that has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution which overthrew the shah.
US President Donald Trump said Friday, January 9, that Iran’s leaders appeared to be “in big trouble” and repeated threats of military action if authorities k!lled peaceful protesters. “It looks to me that the people are taking over certain cities that nobody thought were really possible just a few weeks ago,” Trump said.
Activists and rights groups have claimed that hundreds have been killed since the protests began, while authorities have not released official casualty figures.