Iran was plunged into a nationwide internet blackout on Thursday night as protests over worsening economic conditions intensified, further heightening pressure on the country’s leadership.
The cause of the outage was not officially disclosed, but internet freedom monitor NetBlocks first reported the shutdown, suggesting it was likely imposed by authorities to curb the spread of protests. Iran has repeatedly restricted internet access during periods of unrest in the past.
Earlier on Thursday, NetBlocks noted significant disruptions to internet services in the western city of Kermanshah, as security forces stepped up efforts to contain demonstrations.
Meanwhile, Norway-based group Iran Human Rights (IHR) said at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed since demonstrations began in late December, according to The Guardian. IHR added that Wednesday marked the deadliest day of the unrest so far, with 13 demonstrators confirmed killed.
In response to calls from seven Kurdish political groups, shopkeepers shut down businesses on Thursday across Kurdish regions and in several other cities nationwide. The Hengaw human rights group released videos showing closed shops in western provinces such as Ilam, Kermanshah and Lorestan.
Hengaw also reported that security forces opened fire on protesters in Kermanshah and the nearby town of Kamyaran, injuring several people.
By Thursday, protests had spread to all 31 of Iran’s provinces, showing no signs of slowing. In the southern province of Fars, demonstrators pulled down a statue of former Revolutionary Guards commander Qassem Suleimani, a figure revered by many supporters of the government. Verified footage showed crowds cheering as the statue was removed.
Demonstrations continued into the night in several areas, including Tehran, where large crowds gathered along Ayatollah Kashani Boulevard in the northwest of the capital. Social media images verified by Agence France-Presse showed residents honking car horns in support of the protesters.
Similar scenes were reported in the western city of Abadan, where IHR said a woman was shot in the eye during a protest on Wednesday evening.
“The evidence shows that the crackdown is becoming more violent and more widespread with each passing day,” said IHR director Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, noting that hundreds have been injured and more than 2,000 people arrested.
State media reported that a police officer was killed west of Tehran on Wednesday while attempting to control what authorities described as unrest.
