Iran is facing one of its gravest crises in decades as nationwide protests, a deadly crackdown by authorities, cyber disruptions to state television and rising international pressure converge amid an ongoing internet shutdown. Activists say the death toll from the unrest has crossed 4,000, while tensions between Tehran and Washington remain elevated.
State TV satellite broadcast disrupted
Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions, briefly airing footage supporting exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi and urging security forces not to “point your weapons at the people,” online videos showed early Monday, as per news agency AP. The footage appeared across multiple satellite-broadcast channels of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and included clips of security personnel, claiming some had laid down their weapons.The semiofficial Fars news agency acknowledged the signal disruption in “some areas of the country,” but did not specify what was broadcast. Pahlavi’s office confirmed the appearance of the footage but did not comment on the hacking.
Crackdown death toll rises sharply
The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said at least 4,029 people have been killed in the crackdown on protests, with fears the toll could rise further as information emerges despite the internet shutdown, according to AP. Of those killed, 3,786 were demonstrators, 180 security personnel, 28 children and 35 non-protesters. The agency also said more than 26,000 people have been arrested.Iranian officials have not released an official death toll. Earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the protests had left “several thousand” people dead and blamed the United States.
Fears of executions and a police ultimatum
Concerns have grown over possible executions of detainees. Iran’s top police officer Ahmad-Reza Radan issued an ultimatum to protesters deemed “deceived,” asking them to surrender within three days for leniency or face severe punishment, reported news agency AFP.A joint statement from Iran’s president, judiciary chief and parliament speaker said that while “killers and seditious terrorists will be punished,” leniency would be shown to those misled into participating.
International backlash and Davos snub
Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had his invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos withdrawn due to the killings. “It is not right for the Iranian government to be represented at Davos this year,” the forum said, as per AP. Araghchi denounced the move, alleging political pressure. The Munich Security Conference also withdrew invitations for Iranian officials.
US aircraft carrier movement raises tensions
Amid rising tensions, ship-tracking data analysed by AP showed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier entering the Strait of Malacca, potentially en route to the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln was stationed in the South China Sea with its strike group to deter China amid rising tensions with Taiwan. Now, the tracking data shows that the USS Frank E Petersen Jr, USS Michael Murphy, and USS Spruance, all guided missile destroyers, are accompanying the Lincoln through the strait. Multiple US media reports from anonymous officials say the Lincoln, which is based in San Diego, is heading to the Middle East. It will take several days before its aircraft are within range of that region. Currently, the Middle East does not have an aircraft carrier group or an amphibious ready group, which complicates any talks about a military operation against Iran, especially since Gulf Arab states generally oppose such an attack.Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against killing peaceful protesters or carrying out mass executions following the unrest. However, he thanked the Iranian authorities recently for cancelling the hangings of the protestors.Iran remains under heavy security, with limited internet access, as authorities struggle to contain the fallout from the deadliest unrest the country has seen in decades.
