Archive · 20 Jan 2026
Iran Eases Internet Blackout Amid Protests
There have been big protests in Iran, which is the most serious unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
The government shut down the internet to stop people from sharing what was happening.
Now, they might turn the internet back on soon.
During the protests, someone hacked the state television and showed speeches from US President Donald Trump and Reza Pahlavi, who is the son of Iran’s last king.
He lives in the US and wants the people to rise up against the government.
The protests started in late December and were stopped with force.
Many people were killed, and the government and protesters blame each other for the violence.
The government says the internet will come back when it's safe.
Iran may lift its internet blackout within the next few days, according to a senior member of parliament.
State television was briefly hacked, showing speeches by US President Donald Trump and Reza Pahlavi urging public revolt.
Protests in late December were quelled within three days, with a confirmed death toll of more than 5,000, including 500 security forces.
Authorities accuse armed crowds of attacking hospitals and mosques, while opponents blame the government for opening fire on peaceful demonstrators.
Reza Pahlavi, the US-based son of Iran’s last shah, has emerged as a prominent opposition voice and plans to return to Iran.
- Who
- Iranian authorities, protesters, Reza Pahlavi, Ebrahim Azizi, Hamid Rasaei, Ali Khamenei
- What
- Iran may lift its internet blackout; state television briefly hacked during protests
- When
- Late December 2025, with ongoing developments in January 2026
- Where
- Iran
- Why
- To suppress protests and control information, with potential easing of restrictions
- Internet Blackout
- Lasted more than 180 hours, partially eased
- Death Toll
- More than 5,000, including 500 security forces
- Protests
- Most serious unrest since 1979 Islamic Revolution
- State Television Hack
- Briefly showed speeches by Trump and Pahlavi
- Reza Pahlavi
- US-based son of Iran’s last shah, prominent opposition voice
- Ebrahim Azizi
- Head of parliament’s National Security and Foreign Policy Committee
- Hamid Rasaei
- Hardliner parliament member
- Ali Khamenei
- Supreme Leader of Iran
Sources
'Heads Bloodied, But Unbowed': Reza Pahlavi Says He Will Return To Iran, Urges Global Support
Iran's super-rich partied in Turkey nightclub as thousands died in anti-regime protests: Report
Harmony Foundation Hails Iran's Freedom Movement
Iran to consider lifting internet ban; state TV hacked
Iran’s Supreme Leader concedes thousands killed in unrest, some of them ‘brutally & inhumanely’
For Iran’s exiled Prince to be in focus of unrest shows just how desperate the nation is for change
Why dismantling Ayatollah’s theocracy in Iran may not be easy
Iran signals internet return as state television is briefly hacked
