Iran Faces Internet Disruptions During Ongoing Protests
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Tehran, Iran – Iranians are again experiencing internet disruptions amid ongoing protests across the country as state authorities warn against foreign sabotage and organize demonstrations.
internet users have reported sporadic disruptions to home and mobile connections as Thursday.Data from Cloudflare,a US-based global internet infrastructure and cybersecurity company,shows an average 35 percent lower traffic volume in Iran compared with previous days as of Saturday.
Previous Internet Restrictions
Iranian authorities have a history of shutting down or slowing internet connectivity during periods of unrest,often limiting access to a localized intranet. Notably, internet connectivity came to a near-complete halt for several days in mid-june during heightened tensions with Israel and the United states.
Government Response and Cyberattack Claims
While the government hasn’t directly linked the current slowdown to the protests, Minister of Information and Communications Technology Sattar Hashemi stated on Sunday that Iran successfully defended against one of the largest cyberattacks in recent memory. He suggested this attack may have contributed to limited internet bandwidth.
Protest Origins and Spread
The protests began last Sunday among traders and salesmen in downtown Tehran and have since expanded to cities nationwide. At least 10 people have been killed during the demonstrations.
Recent fatalities and Official Statements
One of those killed was a young buisness owner in Hamedan, western Iran, a city experiencing several days of intense protests and a significant security force presence. Hamzeh Amraei, the regional governor’s political and security deputy, described the man’s death as “suspicious,” alleging it was orchestrated by “enemies” to negatively portray Iranian authorities in the media.
Morteza Heydari, the top security official in Qom, south of Tehran, confirmed on Saturday…
Key Takeaways
- iran is currently experiencing internet disruptions coinciding with widespread protests.
- Connectivity has been reduced by approximately 35% according to Cloudflare data.
- The government cites a major cyberattack as a potential contributing factor.
- At least 10 people have died during the protests, with authorities questioning the circumstances of some deaths.
- Iran has previously restricted internet access during periods of political unrest.
Publication Date: 2026/01/04 00:08:03