As protests rage, Iran pulls the plug on contact with the world
AP News••world
Key Points:
- Iran disconnected its internet and telephone lines on Thursday evening, effectively cutting off its 85 million people from the outside world amid nationwide protests over the economy.
- The shutdown severely restricts sharing of protest images and reports, possibly enabling a violent government crackdown, with authorities labeling protesters as "enemies of God," punishable by death.
- Starlink satellite internet, widely used in Iran despite being illegal, is playing a critical role in transmitting information out of the country but is facing significant jamming and disruption by Iranian authorities.
- The internet blackout marks the third major shutdown in recent years, following deadly protests in 2019 and 2022, with fears growing that without international intervention, the current demonstrations may be suppressed violently.
