Iran Cuts Internet to Conceal Brutality as Protests Erupt Nationwide

The Iranian regime has triggered a nationwide internet "kill switch" in a desperate bid to cover up what critics say are crimes against its own people. As anti-regime protests spread like wildfire across more than 180 cities, the Islamic Republic is once again turning to censorship and brute force to try to survive another wave of public outrage.

According to cybersecurity watchdog NetBlocks, internet connectivity in Iran has plummeted to below 2% of ordinary levels one of the most extreme digital blackouts the group has ever recorded in the country.

"This is Iran’s war against its own population using digital means," said NetBlocks CEO Alp Toker. "There would be an attempt by the regime to cover up crimes that it may have committed, so this blackout could potentially last for days or weeks."

And the crimes may be mounting.

Human Rights Activists in Iran reported at least 65 people killed and more than 2,300 arrested in just under two weeks. Amnesty International added that the regime is using its familiar pattern of repression: "unlawfully firing at, chasing, arresting and beating protesters" who dare to demand change after decades of tyranny.

This isn't the first time Iran has used blackout tactics to hide its crackdown:

• In 2019, thousands were slaughtered during anti-regime protests as the regime silenced communication channels.

• In 2022, the government repeated the strategy after the death of Mahsa Amini, the young woman arrested and killed over "improper dress."

• Now in 2026, they’ve doubled down with an even more centralized, top-down "kill switch" operation.

Toker explained that the regime has weaponized Cold War-era technology to execute the shutdown instantly no longer city by city, but all at once. "This is a top-down mechanism," he said, warning that even banks, hospitals, and essential services are crippled.

Even limited communications that once offered hope are vanishing. Satellite internet access like Starlink is banned by the regime, and those near the borders who manage to find workarounds are taking enormous risks just to get word out to the world.

And while Tehran suppresses its citizens, Joe Biden's White House has remained largely silent. In contrast, President Donald Trump delivered a clear warning to the regime on Friday.

"You’d better not start shooting, because we’ll start shooting too," Trump said. "I just hope the protesters in Iran are going to be safe, because that’s a very dangerous place right now."

The regime's goal is clear: shut down the internet, shut down the truth, and shut down the people. But despite the censorship and the bullets, Iranians continue to rise up proof that no blackout can permanently dim the fire for freedom.

These are the tools of authoritarian thugs: silence, fear, and force. And yet, the people of Iran are pushing back anyway.

The least the free world can do is pay attention.

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