Iran faces nationwide internet outage, monitoring agency reports

Iran Experiences Nationwide Internet Blackout Amid Protests

A nationwide internet blackout has been reported in Iran, according to online monitoring group NetBlocks. The apparent outage follows a series of escalating digital censorship measures targeting protests across the country.

Protesters have taken to the streets in cities across Iran since late December, expressing anger over the soaring cost of living and the devaluation of the local currency. At least 21 people, including security forces, have been killed since the demonstrations began, according to a tally by the AFP news agency.

The Iranian authorities have responded with mixed messages, with President Masoud Pezeshkian calling for restraint in handling the protests, while Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei stated that rioters must be “put in their place”. Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei has also accused demonstrators of operating in line with the United States and Israel.

The United Nations chief, Antonio Guterres, has emphasized the need to prevent further protest-related casualties. His spokesman reported that Guterres calls on authorities to uphold the right of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The UN chief’s office stated that all individuals must be allowed to protest peacefully and express their grievances.

The situation in Iran remains fluid, with ongoing protests and digital censorship measures in place.

Source: Al Jazeera