In Iran, Internet Completely Shut Down Amid Mass Protests

Security forces are using tear gas against protesters, eyewitnesses report, according to the dpa agency. In Tehran, activists are posting videos of burning police cars. Protests have also spread to other major cities, including Mashhad and Kermanshah.
According to the British organization NetBlocks, Iranian authorities have imposed strict restrictions on internet access, leading to a "practically complete nationwide internet blackout." IT company Cloudflare reports that on January 8, internet traffic in the country decreased by 90%. It is believed that only officials and representatives of the security forces retain access to the network, notes dpa.

U.S. President Donald Trump, in an interview with Salem News Channel, once again issued threats against the Iranian leadership, emphasizing that "if they start killing people, we will act decisively." He characterized the Iranians as "brave people" and added that his administration is closely monitoring the events.

According to the latest data from the Norwegian organization Iran Human Rights (IHR), since the beginning of the protests, at least 45 demonstrators have died, including eight minors. Iranian authorities reported 21 fatalities, among whom were also security personnel.

The protests began in Tehran at the main city bazaar, where many shop owners closed their stores in protest against hyperinflation and sharp price hikes. On December 29, the exchange rate of the national currency—the rial—fell to a record low of about 0.00002 euros per rial. According to the World Bank, in October, the food inflation rate in Iran was 64.2%, making the country second only to South Sudan in this regard.