Iran has completely shut down internet access amid ongoing mass protests. Mobile communications in the country have also largely ceased to function. This is evidenced by data from Cloudflare and the internet monitoring service NetBlocks.
The protests, which began in late 2025 over an economic crisis, 50 percent inflation, and the devaluation of the national currency, have evolved into political demonstrations demanding the resignation of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The demonstrations have spread to 27 of the country’s 31 provinces.
According to the Human Rights News Agency, at least 42 people have been killed since the unrest began. The BBC has been able to independently confirm 21 deaths. Around 2,200 demonstrators have been arrested. Iran’s state-run Fars News Agency has reported that approximately 250 police officers and 45 members of the Basij militia were injured.
On January 7, Fox News, citing the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), reported that two cities—Abdanan and Malekshahi—had come under the control of protesters. Maryam Rajavi, president of the NCRI, welcomed the protesters in a post on X, stating that they had “forced the repressors to retreat.”
Amid the large-scale protests and rising tensions, Iranian authorities announced a package of concessions, including a 43 percent wage increase, a reduction in value-added tax, and the allocation of $8.8 billion to curb price growth. At the same time, according to Western intelligence sources, Ali Khamenei has developed an evacuation plan from Tehran. Former Israeli intelligence officer Benny Sabti said that Moscow could be considered as a potential refuge.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to use military force in the event of a brutal crackdown on the protests. Iranian authorities in Tehran described the statement as “reckless.”
