Iranian authorities are now considering “gradually” restoring internet access following an unprecedented ten-day communications shutdown that masked a violent crackdown. Rights groups believe this blackout allowed security forces to kill thousands of protesters during the largest challenge to leadership in years.
The Tasnim news agency reported late Saturday that “the relevant authorities announced that internet access would also be gradually restored.” While local messaging apps may soon activate on the domestic intranet, most mobile internet providers still remain completely offline. However, the AFP office in Tehran successfully connected to the web on Sunday morning after a week of total isolation.
Reports of a Massacre
International observers claim the blackout served as a shield for security forces to commit a “massacre” against the Iranian people, as Amnesty International researcher Raha Bahreini verified videos showing “that security forces have been relentlessly firing at protesters from the streets.” Hospitals quickly became “overwhelmed with the injured” as the military suppressed demonstrations sparked by economic hardship and political anger.
Norway-based Iran Human Rights (IHR) has verified 3,428 deaths, though they warn the actual toll likely exceeds 5,000 victims. Furthermore, opposition channel Iran International suggests the number could reach 12,000, citing senior government sources who leaked the staggering figures.
Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed the unrest on “agents” of the United States and Israel rather than domestic grievances, stating that authorities “must break the back of the seditionists” while confirming that security forces had killed “a few thousand.” Consequently, the judiciary warns that arrested protesters face swift trials for “moharebeh,” a capital offense meaning “waging war against God.”
“All those who played a decisive role in these calls for violence… will not be spared,” stated judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir.
Global Tensions Rise
Despite the restoration of some landlines and text messaging, the threat of mass executions continues to alarm the international community. Analyst Arif Keskin believes the regime views these executions as a “long-term investment in domestic security” despite the international costs. While US President Donald Trump claimed Iran called off hundreds of executions, specialists argue the risk of state-sanctioned killings remains very real.
