Iran’s government has maintained a nationwide internet shutdown for the second consecutive day, causing citizens to remain disconnected from the outside world. The shutdown, imposed in response to anti-government protests in various cities, has been in effect for 36 hours. According to the internet monitoring agency NetBlocks, the shutdown will continue for another night, following protests and subsequent action against the government.
The protests, which began with a video message from Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s former monarch, have spread to major cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan. The government responded by shutting down internet services and phone lines in several cities. Pahlavi has called for a two-day strike starting today.
In a statement on social media, Pahlavi appealed to laborers and workers in critical sectors, including transportation, oil, and energy, to join the nationwide strike. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that protesters risk being engulfed by fire, while Abbas Araghchi, the Iranian Foreign Minister, emphasized the need to maintain positive relations with regional countries to promote peace and stability.
During a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani discussed key issues, although the details of the conversation remain unclear. US officials have stated that President Donald Trump has been briefed on possible military options against Iran during the protests.
The Iranian government has reported that 65 people have been killed in the protests, including 15 security personnel. US President Donald Trump has stated that Iran is moving towards freedom and that the US is prepared to support Iranian protesters.
