Iran Protests Intensify as Internet and Power Blackouts Spread Across Major Cities
Tehran, January 12, 2026 — Protests across Iran escalated sharply on Monday night as authorities imposed sweeping internet restrictions and electricity cuts in several major cities, including Tehran, Mashhad, and Isfahan, according to activists and local witnesses.
The blackout comes after days of nationwide demonstrations driven by growing public anger over economic hardship, political restrictions, and rising living costs. With mobile data services disrupted, many protesters turned to flashlights on their phones to illuminate streets and public squares — a powerful visual symbol that has quickly spread across social media before networks went dark.
Human rights organizations say the coordinated shutdown of power and communication is a deliberate effort to weaken protest movements by limiting coordination and preventing images from reaching the outside world. Internet disruptions have become a recurring tactic during periods of unrest in Iran, drawing criticism from international free-speech groups and digital-rights advocates.
Videos that surfaced briefly online before the blackout showed large crowds chanting anti-government slogans and confronting heavy security deployments. Witnesses reported a tense atmosphere in several neighborhoods, with police checkpoints and patrols increasing through the night.
Meanwhile, global reaction has been swift. The United Nations called on Iranian authorities to restore internet access and respect the right to peaceful assembly. The European Union and several Western governments issued statements expressing concern over the safety of demonstrators and urging restraint by security forces.
Economic analysts warn that prolonged instability could further strain Iran’s already fragile economy, which has been hit by inflation, currency pressure, and declining public confidence. “When protests spread alongside digital shutdowns, it sends a signal that the situation is entering a more volatile phase,” said one regional political observer.
As of Tuesday morning, internet access remained patchy in several provinces, while reports of fresh gatherings continued to emerge despite the restrictions. For many Iranians, the message is clear: even in darkness, the protests are far from fading.
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