On January 9, 2026, Iran experienced a significant disruption as authorities implemented an internet blackout to suppress growing protests. This action resulted in blocked phone communications and limited updates from Iranian news outlets. The protests, which began in late December over rising inflation, have escalated into the largest demonstrations in three years, with unrest reported across all provinces and numerous fatalities documented by human rights organizations.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei publicly accused the protesters of acting under the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump, claiming that they were vandalizing public property and warning against foreign interference. The protests have drawn support from fragmented opposition groups, including Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last monarch, who urged citizens to demonstrate.

State media reported images of destruction, including burning vehicles and damaged public infrastructure, while attributing the unrest to the People's Mujahedin Organisation (MKO), an opposition faction that emerged after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. A journalist from state television described the scene in Rasht as resembling a war zone, highlighting the extent of the damage.

Despite previous instances of unrest being quelled, the current economic climate, exacerbated by international sanctions related to Iran's nuclear program, presents a more challenging environment for the government. A French diplomatic source has called for restraint from Iranian authorities in their response to the protests.

While the protests initially focused on economic grievances, they have evolved to include broader anti-government sentiments, with demonstrators chanting slogans against the ruling authorities. The Iranian government has attempted to balance its response by acknowledging the legitimacy of economic protests while condemning what it labels as violent rioters. The protests have not yet reached the scale of the nationwide demonstrations in late 2022, which were sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman in police custody, but they represent a significant internal challenge to the Iranian government.

Reports indicate that at least 48 protesters and 14 security personnel have been killed, according to human rights organizations. The situation has been exacerbated by a near-total internet blackout imposed by the government, which has hindered communication and access to information. Human rights advocates have warned of the risks associated with the government's increasing use of force, particularly during the internet shutdown. Reports from individuals within Iran indicate rising anxiety among residents, with shortages of essential goods anticipated as the situation develops.

In response to the protests, U.S. President Donald Trump has issued warnings to Iranian leaders regarding their treatment of demonstrators, while also expressing a desire to observe the situation before endorsing any opposition figures. Activist Masih Alinejad has called for the deployment of satellite internet technology to restore access in Iran, emphasizing the need for a plan to facilitate a transition from the current regime to a secular democracy, reflecting the demands of millions of Iranians who seek fundamental change.