Background on the Situation in Iran
Iran has experienced a significant internet restriction following a partial restoration on Sunday, according to cybersecurity organization Netblocks. This comes after ten days of communication blockades that activist groups claim aim to conceal the extent of the crackdown on protests, which have reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths.
The Purpose of Internet Restrictions
Human rights groups assert that the internet blackout’s objective is to obscure the scale of repression during protests. The Iranian government seeks to project control over the situation, including ordering schools to reopen after a week-long closure.
President Pezeshkian’s Warning
The apparent return to calm was accompanied by a stern warning from Iran’s President, Masud Pezeshkian. He stated that any attack on the country’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, would equate to a full-scale war against Iran.
Context of the Protests
The protests began as a response to rising living costs and evolved into a movement against the theocratic regime that has been in power since the 1979 revolution. Iran cut off all communications on January 8 in response to these protests.
Partial Internet Restoration and Its Implications
Netblocks reported a partial internet restoration in Iran, following the blockade that human rights groups say was intended to hide the extent of the crackdown on protests.
Limited Internet Access
Despite the partial restoration, internet traffic levels dropped significantly due to heavy filtering of certain Google services and messaging apps in Iran. Some Iranians managed to share detailed information about the crisis on the ground during this brief window.
Telephone Calls and Text Messages
International phone calls were partially restored on Tuesday, while text messages resumed on Saturday after several days of suspension. Journalists in Tehran managed to access the internet on Sunday, though most access providers remained blocked.
Casualties and Government Claims
Iranian officials have claimed that protests were initially peaceful before turning into “riots” and blamed foreign influence from Iran’s arch-enemies, the United States and Israel.
Discrepancy in Death Toll
Iranian authorities have reported that a few thousand people died at the hands of what they call “agents” from the US and Israel. However, human rights organizations like Iran Human Rights (IHR) warn that the actual death toll is likely much higher.
Independent Verification Challenges
The independent verification of this tally is difficult due to the internet blockade, with estimates ranging from over 5,000 to as high as 20,000 fatalities. The Iranian government has not provided an exact death count in the protests, further complicating verification efforts.
Judicial Response and International Solidarity
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei mentioned that “some thousands” died due to the actions of US and Israeli agents. In response, Iranian authorities vowed to “break the backs of the seditious.”
Asghar Jahangir, spokesperson for Iran’s judiciary, emphasized the intention to hold swift trials, warning that certain acts could lead to capital punishment for “moharebeh,” or “waging war against God.”
Global Solidarity Demonstrations
In recent days, large solidarity marches have taken place in several cities worldwide, including Berlin, London, and Paris on Sunday, in support of the protests in Iran.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the current status of internet access in Iran? Internet access remains heavily restricted, with heavy filtering of certain services and apps. However, there was a brief partial restoration on Sunday.
- Why has the Iranian government restricted internet access? The government claims it aims to maintain control over the situation and conceal the extent of repression during protests.
- What is the estimated death toll from the protests? Human rights organizations warn that the actual death toll is likely much higher than officially reported, with estimates ranging from over 5,000 to as many as 20,000.
- How have international communities responded to the protests in Iran? Solidarity demonstrations have taken place in various cities worldwide, including Berlin, London, and Paris.
