Iran's Internet and TV: A Shifting Landscape

Unrest Follows Violent Crackdown

Iran might soon restore internet access, according to a top lawmaker. This announcement comes after a week of quiet streets, following a severe crackdown on protests that began in late December. The unrest is considered among the worst since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Key Developments

• Internet Restoration: Senior parliament member Ebrahim Azizi stated that the decision to restore internet access would depend on the security situation.
• Criticism from Lawmakers: Hamid Rasaei criticized the government for not heeding cybersecurity warnings from Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
• Internet Blackout: Internet and phone lines were cut during the protests but have since eased, allowing reports of attacks on protesters to surface.

Protests and Violence

The protests were met with severe force, with reports of over 5,000 deaths, including 500 security personnel. The worst violence occurred in Kurdish areas. Opposition groups claim thousands were killed, while the government blames armed crowds, influenced by foreign enemies, for attacking hospitals and mosques.

International Reactions

• State TV Hack: On Sunday, state TV was briefly hacked, showing speeches by U.S. President Donald Trump and Reza Pahlavi, the son of Iran's last shah. Both urged the public to rise up against the government.
• Trump's Threat: Trump had threatened military action but backed off after the violence subsided.
• Pahlavi's Role: Pahlavi, who lives in the U.S., has become a prominent opposition figure, though his support inside Iran is hard to gauge.

Historical Context

The death toll is significantly higher than in previous protests in 2022 and 2009.