Iranian Regime Desperately Tries to Cling to Power by Shooting Protestors, But Riots in 108 Iranian Cities Force Khamenei to Move Underground

Iran experienced a near-total nationwide blackout of internet, mobile networks, landlines, and electricity on Thursday evening, January 8, as anti-government protests entered their 12th day. The shutdown, confirmed by monitoring group NetBlocks as a deliberate act by authorities, coincided with massive demonstrations across the country, including in the capital Tehran, where crowds responded to a call for action from exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi.

The protests, which began in late December 2025 over Iran's collapsing economy-including a plunging rial and soaring inflation-have rapidly evolved into demands for regime change. Demonstrators in cities spanning all 31 provinces have chanted slogans such as "Death to the dictator!" and "Pahlavi will return!" Witnesses described neighborhoods erupting in unified chanting at 8 p.m. local time, as urged by Pahlavi, the son of the last Shah deposed in the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Security forces have responded with lethal force, including live ammunition. Human rights organizations report at least 45 protesters killed since the unrest began, including children, with over 2,200 arrests. Groups like Iran Human Rights (IHR) and the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) have documented widespread use of firearms, tear gas, and beatings. Reports of regime gunfire persisted into the blackout, raising fears of intensified crackdowns hidden from public view.

Iran Plunges into Darkness Amid Escalating Nationwide UprisingTehran, Iran - January 9, 2026

The communications blackout-described by NetBlocks as dropping connectivity to near 1% of normal levels-has severed Iran's 90 million citizens from the outside world, preventing coordination among protesters and the sharing of evidence of atrocities. Similar tactics were used during the 2019 protests, which resulted in hundreds of deaths. Power outages in multiple areas compounded the isolation, leaving residents unable to call emergency services.

Elon Musk's SpaceX has faced calls to activate free Starlink satellite internet, as it did during prior Iranian uprisings, to bypass censorship and aid protesters. While some reports suggest limited Starlink access via existing terminals, no official confirmation of widespread free activation has emerged as of January 9.

Pahlavi, from exile, praised the demonstrators as "courageous compatriots" and vowed further calls to action based on the response. The unrest represents the most significant challenge to the Islamic Republic since the 2022-2023 "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement.International observers warn the blackout hinders real-time verification of events, but videos from before the shutdown show massive crowds, strikes paralyzing commerce, and confrontations with security forces. As Iran remains offline into Friday, the world awaits signs of whether the uprising will sustain momentum or face brutal suppression.

From @niohberg on Twitter: "I have gotten some new information from a Mossad source. Yes, I am serious.

Choose to believe it or not, but remember that I was the first to insist Mossad isn't involved in this uprising until the last hour. I'm only passing on what I've heard.

• At least 50 murders as of an hour ago. However, Iranians have NOT left the streets and they're fighting. So far the massacres have not stopped, but it's a battle.

• The Mossad is active, but discreet. They're currently handing out Starlink dishes to Iranians and giving them vital info to stay safe.

• Mossad has uncovered that the IRGC stores supplies, weapons, water and food underneath mosques and shrines, many of whom are connected by tunnels. They're directing Iranians to target these.

• Currently, they are trying to locate Khamenei's exact location. I can't tell you if they plan an assassination, but they are working around the clock.

• Some regime figures are moving their families out of Iran. Regime FM Araghchi is in Lebanon under the pretence of a normal state visit, but his wife and children are also there. And they have no plans to leave.

I believe this source is very reliable, but please bear with me as I gather more info in these critical hours."