Iranian Protests Escalate as Regime Shuts Down Internet Access

Latest Developments

Sweeping Blackouts as Protests Spread: An internet blackout imposed by Tehran’s ruling regime swept across Iran as mass protests entered their 13th day. The demonstrations have spread to dozens of cities in all 31 provinces of the Islamic Republic as of late this week, with multiple videos showing several government buildings set ablaze in separate locations throughout the country. Since the beginning of the protests in late December, dozens of people, including children, have been killed, with some human rights groups putting the current death toll at over 40.
Khamenei Vows Regime Will ‘Not Back Down’: In a fiery speech on January 9, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused demonstrators of being “vandals,” working “for foreign powers,” and attempting to “please” President Donald Trump. “Last night in Tehran and in some other places, a group of vandals came and damaged buildings belonging to their own country just to please the president of the United States,” Khamenei stated, adding that his government “will not back down” and that Iranian security forces would “show no leniency whatsoever toward saboteurs.” Additionally, several Iranians reported receiving calls from the authorities demanding that they delete online messages of support for the demonstrations from social media.
Intelligence Reassesses Strength of Protests: U.S. intelligence agencies are reassessing whether the protests have the energy to destabilize the regime. “The protests are serious, and we will continue to monitor them,” a senior U.S. official said. The State Department’s Persian language X account expressed support for the protesters on January 8, stating, “Your courage in demanding your rights is admirable, and we stand in solidarity with you.”

FDD Expert Response

“President Trump was clear: the United States is ‘locked and loaded’ if Iran’s rulers turn their guns on peaceful protestors. On Thursday night, the regime crossed that line. The time to act is now — before the killing escalates. The Iranian people have shown extraordinary courage and resolve in confronting their oppressors. Targeted U.S. strikes can paralyze the regime’s machinery of repression and deter further massacres, saving lives without dragging America into another Middle East war.” — Mark Dubowitz, CEO

“The protests continue to grow, as does the risk of the regime using extreme violence to crack down on them. An information blockade is a potential precursor to the bloodshed threatened by Khamenei in his latest speech. On the other hand, there are signs of security force defections to the cause of the people, while the scale of the crowds means that the remaining regime loyalists often have to back off and focus on strategic priorities, like protecting key installations. President Trump’s threat to use force may have to be backed by action sooner rather than later.” — Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Fellow

“Nothing signals existential fear like importing foreign militias to kill unarmed protesters alongside a total internet and landline shutdown. As the nationwide movement approaches the point of no return, Washington should remain proactive rather than reactive to the regime and its repression tactics. Failing to respond in a timely and effective manner risks alienating a population that has long viewed the regime, not U.S. policy, as the culprit, and as a shared threat to Americans, Israelis, and Iranians alike.” — Janatan Sayeh, Research Analyst

“Iran has reached a tipping point. The facade created by Iran’s ruling elites of a powerful military and resilient economy has crumbled. Congress and the White House should take all possible steps to assure the Iranian people that a future without the mullahs is possible and that the United States is prepared to help them build that future. The United States needs to be unambiguous that a political transition is necessary for Iran and that what comes next would be a choice the Iranian people make for themselves.” — Tyler Stapleton, Senior Director of Government Relations at FDD Action