Economic crisis, inflation and falling currency fuel nationwide protests demanding political change in Iran.
New Delhi: 9 January 2026
Iran has cut internet services and blocked international phone calls across the country as large-scale protests against the government and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei continue to grow.
Internet monitoring groups NetBlocks and Cloudflare reported a near-total internet blackout, especially from Thursday evening. At the same time, people outside Iran said international calls into the country were not connecting. This clearly shows that authorities also restricted phone networks.
However, the Iranian government has not given any official reason for the shutdown. According to experts, the move aims to prevent protesters from coordinating with each other. More importantly, it seeks to stop people from sharing videos and information with the outside world.
Protests Spread to Many Cities
Meanwhile, the protests are no longer limited to Tehran. Instead, demonstrations have spread to Mashhad, Isfahan, Kermanshah, and several other cities. As a result, unrest is growing across the country.
During these protests, demonstrators are raising strong anti-Khamenei and anti-regime slogans. In particular, chants like “Death to the dictator” and “Death to the Islamic Republic” are echoing through the streets. These slogans clearly reflect rising anger against Iran’s leadership and its political system.
Economic Problems Add to Public Anger
At the same time, Iran’s worsening economic crisis has played a major role in fueling the protests. People are struggling with:
- High inflation
- Falling value of the Iranian currency
- Rising prices of basic goods
Many citizens blame the government for poor management and policies that have made daily life difficult.
Exiled Crown Prince Urges People to Protest
The unrest gained momentum after Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled crown prince and son of the country’s last monarch, called on people to protest nationwide.
He described the situation as “unprecedented” and encouraged Iranians to continue their struggle against authoritarian rule. His message appears to have motivated more people to join the protests.
Clashes, Arrests and Deaths Reported
According to human rights groups and independent sources:
- Dozens of protesters have been killed
- Thousands have been arrested
- Government buildings and regime symbols have been attacked or set on fire in some areas
Exact numbers are difficult to confirm because the communication blackout has limited information coming out of the country.
Why the Internet Blackout Is Important
Iran has used internet shutdowns in the past, including during 2019 and 2022 protests, to hide crackdowns and control unrest.
Experts say the current shutdown is meant to:
- Stop protest planning
- Prevent sharing of photos and videos
- Block international media coverage
- They see it as a serious escalation by the government.
Global Concern and Condemnation
Foreign governments and human rights organisations have criticised Iran’s actions, calling for:
- Restoration of internet and phone services
- Protection of peaceful protesters
- An end to violence against civilians
- Concerns are growing over the use of force by security agencies.
Tense Situation Continues
Internet and phone services remain largely blocked, so the full picture of the protests is still unclear. Even so, the scale and spread of the demonstrations suggest one of the biggest challenges Iran’s leadership has faced in years.
The coming days now appear crucial, as protests continue despite heavy security presence and strict restrictions across the country.
