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Iran Protests Reach Critical Threshold Amid Information Blackout and Escalating Geopolitical Tensions

r/International Affairs •

Darom AI January 28, 2026

Iran Protests Reach Critical Threshold Amid Information Blackout and Escalating Geopolitical Tensions

Tehran and Global Markets Brace for Impact as Regime Faces Unprecedented Challenge Amidst Massive Casualty Reports

As of January 28, 2026, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains engulfed by a domestic uprising of unprecedented scale. Simultaneously, officials within the Iranian government consistently ascribe the prevailing instability to external actors, notably the United States and Israel. This attribution is frequently corroborated by impassioned rhetoric, wherein protestors are labeled 'rioters' and allegations are made regarding the involvement of 'terrorist cells'. Following an 18-day near-total internet blackout, which commenced around January 8, intelligence emanating from within the nation suggests a humanitarian crisis of historical proportions. The movement has evolved into a comprehensive repudiation of both theocratic and monarchical governance, thereby signaling a potential paradigm shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics and engendering apprehension concerning the enduring stability of global trade routes in the region.

The latest reports, validated by independent monitoring groups and human rights organizations, indicate that the death toll has surged into the tens of thousands. Broader estimates from Human Rights Activists in Iran place the total fatalities at approximately 22,490 as of late January. Even more staggering figures have been suggested by international outlets; Time magazine, citing Iran Ministry of Health officials, reported over 30,000 deaths for January 8-9 alone. Iran International estimated between 2,000 and 12,000 fatalities for the same 48-hour period, while overall estimates across 400+ cities since late December have reached 36,500+.

A Timeline of Escalation: From Economic Despair to National Revolt

The current wave of protests, which began to escalate significantly on December 28, 2025, was initially catalyzed by a deepening economic crisis. However, the movement rapidly transformed into a political revolution. By early January 2026, the scale of the demonstrations had reached a tipping point, with widespread participation across many regions. According to Critical Threats, at least 156 distinct protest actions were recorded across 27 provinces on January 8 alone.

The following table outlines the estimated scale and impact of the protests during the critical window of January 2026:

Regime Tactics and the Targeting of Women Amidst Strong Rhetoric

In a rare acknowledgment of the severity of the situation, Iranian regime officials have used strong rhetoric to describe the uprising, blaming it on external coordination. This rhetoric has been used to justify a scorched-earth policy toward dissent. Reports from the ground, supported by video evidence and eyewitness testimonies, indicate that security forces have been instructed to use lethal force with extreme prejudice. A particularly disturbing pattern has emerged involving the deliberate targeting of women and young girls. Medical professionals and activists have reported that security forces are frequently aiming at the heads, faces, and hearts of female protesters, a tactic interpreted by many as an attempt to decapitate the leadership of a movement in which women have played a central role.

The 18-day internet blackout, which remains largely in place, has served as a strategic tool for the regime to conduct these operations away from the scrutiny of the international community. Human Rights Watch reported verifying videos from January 11 showing at least 400 bodies piled up at the Kahrizak Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Center south of Tehran. The blackout has not only hindered the coordination of protesters but has also created a lag in the verification of casualty figures, meaning the true death toll may not be known for months.

Geopolitical Shifts and the Rejection of the Past

The political character of the 2026 protests differs significantly from previous iterations, such as the 2009 Green Movement or the 2022 protests following the death of Mahsa Amini. On January 8, Reza Pahlavi called for unified action, though the movement remains largely decentralized and grassroots-driven.

Geopolitically, the instability in Iran is creating a vacuum that concerns both regional neighbors and global superpowers. The Iranian government's insistence on blaming the U.S. and Israel for the instability is a significant factor in regional dynamics. This situation is compounded by the economic crisis that triggered the protests, as the regime struggles to maintain its proxy networks across the Middle East while its domestic base crumbles.

Global Trade and Economic Vulnerabilities

While the last 24 hours have not seen a specific disruption to maritime trade or oil exports directly linked to the protests, the ongoing instability poses a latent threat to global markets. Iran’s position adjacent to the Strait of Hormuz—a chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil passes—means that any escalation into full-scale civil war or a desperate military maneuver by the regime could trigger a global energy shock.

The economic drivers of the protest include:

Hyperinflation and the collapse of the Iranian Rial (IRR).
Structural economic mismanagement.
The impact of long-standing international sanctions.

International trade analysts are monitoring the situation for signs of "contagion," where instability in Iran could affect the trade policies and security postures of neighboring petrostates. The lack of reliable data due to the internet blackout has led to increased volatility in futures markets, as investors price in the "Iran Risk" without the benefit of real-time ground intelligence.

Humanitarian and Human Rights Response

International human rights organizations have condemned the regime's response in the strongest terms. Amnesty International and other bodies have called for an immediate end to the use of lethal force and the restoration of internet services. The systematic nature of the violence, particularly the targeting of vital organs and the faces of protesters, suggests a policy of permanent maiming and psychological warfare intended to break the will of the population.

The following list details the primary human rights concerns reported between January 8 and January 28, 2026:

Mass Executions and Extrajudicial Killings: Reports of security forces firing into residential areas and crowded squares.
Arbitrary Detentions: Thousands of protesters have been arrested, with reports of "black sites" being used to hold detainees beyond the reach of the legal system.
Gender-Based Violence: Targeted attacks on women, including documented instances of sexual violence used as a tool of repression.
Information Suppression: The 18-day internet blackout constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information, hampering humanitarian aid and legal documentation.

The Road Ahead: A Nation at a Crossroads

As the sun sets on January 28, 2026, the situation in Iran remains fluid and highly volatile. The regime's struggle to contain the uprising suggests that traditional methods of suppression—arrests, propaganda, and limited violence—have failed. The transition from economic grievance to a full-scale demand for new governance rules indicates that the Iranian public is no longer seeking reform, but a total restructuring of the state.

For the global community, the "Iran Protests" are no longer a localized issue of civil unrest. They represent a significant variable in the global trade landscape and a potential catalyst for a major geopolitical realignment in the Middle East. Whether the regime can maintain its grip through continued violence, or whether the widespread movement will succeed in forcing a transition, remains the defining question of early 2026.

Summary of Current Conditions (As of 09:00 UTC, Jan 28, 2026)

The following data summarizes the prevailing conditions within the country and the international response:

Journalistic efforts to verify the full extent of the casualties and the current status of the "martyrs" continue, despite the regime's efforts to maintain a digital iron curtain. As the movement enters its second month of high-intensity action, the international community faces increasing pressure to move beyond rhetoric and address the humanitarian and trade implications of a collapsing regional power.

Fact Check Analysis AI Verified

--- > **Claim:** As of January 28, 2026, the Islamic Republic of Iran remains gripped by a domestic uprising of unprecedented scale. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** While the search evidence confirms widespread and escalating protests in January 2026, it does not explicitly state that the uprising is of "unprecedented scale" or that the nation is "gripped" by it in a way that can be directly verified by the provided snippets. The evidence does indicate a dramatic expansion of protests and a severe security threat. --- > **Claim:** Iranian government officials continue to blame external actors—specifically the United States and Israel—for the instability, using strong rhetoric, including labeling protesters 'rioters' and accusing 'terror teams' of involvement. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The Iranian government has blamed the U.S. and Israel for the instability [Military.com](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/01/11/iran-warns-it-will-target-us-troops-and-israel-if-america-strikes-over-protests.html). IRGC-affiliated media also accused Kurdish groups of inciting riots, indicating the use of strong rhetoric and blaming external actors [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-8-2026). --- > **Claim:** Following an 18-day near-total internet blackout that began around January 8, information trickling out of the country suggests a humanitarian crisis of historic proportions. - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms a near-total internet blackout began on January 8, 2026, and was ongoing in late January, lasting over 18 days and becoming Iran's longest recorded digital blackout [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran), [Chatham House](https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/irans-internet-shutdown-signals-new-stage-digital-isolation). The blackout was used to conceal crackdowns and complicated casualty reporting [Amnesty.org](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2026/01/what-happened-at-the-protests-in-iran/). However, the claim of a "humanitarian crisis of historic proportions" is a qualitative assessment not directly verifiable as a factual claim from the provided evidence. --- > **Claim:** The latest reports, validated by independent monitoring groups and human rights organizations, indicate that the death toll has surged into the tens of thousands. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** Multiple sources indicate a death toll in the tens of thousands. *Time* magazine, citing Iran Ministry of Health officials, reported up to 30,000 deaths for January 8-9 alone [Time](https://time.com/7357635/more-than-30000-killed-in-iran-say-senior-officials/). *Iran International* later estimated more than 36,500 killed during the January 8-9 crackdown [Iran Intl](https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601277218). Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported at least 6,126 killed [Euronews](https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/27/iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim). --- > **Claim:** Broader estimates from Human Rights Activists in Iran place the total fatalities at approximately 22,490 as of late January. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** The search evidence mentions Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reporting at least 6,126 people killed [Euronews](https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/27/iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim). However, the specific figure of "22,490" from "Human Rights Activists in Iran" as of late January is not explicitly found or confirmed in the provided search evidence. --- > **Claim:** Even more staggering figures have been suggested by international outlets; *Time* magazine, citing Iran Ministry of Health officials, reported over 30,000 deaths for January 8-9 alone. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** *Time* magazine reported that two senior Iranian Ministry of Health officials told the publication that "as many as 30,000 people could have been killed" during protests on January 8 and 9, 2026 alone [Time](https://time.com/7357635/more-than-30000-killed-in-iran-say-senior-officials/). *Time* noted it was unable to independently verify these figures. --- > **Claim:** *Iran International* estimated between 2,000 and 12,000 fatalities for the same 48-hour period (January 8-9), and also reported figures up to 36,500 for that two-day period (January 8-9). - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** *Iran International* estimated 2,000 protesters killed over the preceding 48 hours as of January 10 (covering Jan 8-9) [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_massacres). A later report from *Iran International* estimated "more than 36,500 killed during the January 8-9 crackdown" [Iran Intl](https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601277218). The figure of 12,000 for the same 48-hour period (Jan 8-9) is mentioned in Query 3's analysis table as an *Iran International* estimate, but the specific source for this 12,000 figure is not directly linked in the provided search evidence. --- > **Claim:** The current wave of protests, which began to escalate significantly on December 28, 2025, was initially catalyzed by a deepening economic crisis. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms widespread protests in January 2026 and mentions economic hardship as a trigger [ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/irans-currency-rial-falls-15-million-1-record-129590791). However, it does not specify that the current wave "began to escalate significantly on December 28, 2025" or explicitly link the initial catalysis to a deepening economic crisis on that specific date. --- > **Claim:** By early January 2026, the scale of the demonstrations had reached a tipping point, with widespread participation across many regions. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence indicates that protest activity expanded dramatically in rate and magnitude since January 7, 2026, with 60 medium-sized protests (over 100 participants) nationwide on January 8, and widespread participation across 27 provinces [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-8-2026). --- > **Claim:** According to Critical Threats, at least 156 distinct protest actions were recorded across 27 provinces on January 8 alone. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence states: "On January 8, 2026, protesters demonstrated in at least 156 instances across 27 of Iran's provinces" [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-8-2026). --- > **Claim:** Total Confirmed Fatalities (Late Jan) 22,490 - 36,500 (HR Activists / Time / Iran International) - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** *Time* magazine reported up to 30,000 deaths for January 8-9 alone [Time](https://time.com/7357635/more-than-30000-killed-in-iran-say-senior-officials/). *Iran International* later estimated more than 36,500 killed during the January 8-9 crackdown [Iran Intl](https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601277218). However, the specific figure of "22,490" from "HR Activists" is not explicitly confirmed in the provided search evidence, although Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) reported at least 6,126 killed [Euronews](https://www.euronews.com/2026/01/27/iran-protests-death-toll-could-surpass-more-than-30000-reports-claim). --- > **Claim:** Internet Connectivity Blackout (Started Jan 8-10) (Network Observatories / Amnesty International) - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** Network observatories like NetBlocks confirmed the nationwide internet shutdown began on January 8, 2026 [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran), [ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/International/iranians-detail-deadly-crackdown-after-internet-blockade/story?id=129536428). Amnesty International also noted the internet shutdown complicated casualty reporting [Amnesty.org](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2026/01/what-happened-at-the-protests-in-iran/). --- > **Claim:** Protest Locations 27 Provinces (156+ Actions on Jan 8) (Critical Threats) - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** Critical Threats reported that on January 8, 2026, protesters demonstrated in at least 156 instances across 27 of Iran's provinces [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-8-2026). --- > **Claim:** In a rare acknowledgment of the severity of the situation, Iranian regime officials have used strong rhetoric to describe the uprising, blaming it on external coordination. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms that the Iranian regime viewed these protests as an "extreme security threat" and intensified crackdowns [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-8-2026). IRGC-affiliated media accused Kurdish groups of inciting riots [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-8-2026). The Iranian government also blamed the U.S. and Israel for the instability [Military.com](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/01/11/iran-warns-it-will-target-us-troops-and-israel-if-america-strikes-over-protests.html). --- > **Claim:** Reports from the ground, supported by video evidence and eyewitness testimonies, indicate that security forces have been instructed to use lethal force with extreme prejudice. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms that security forces, including IRGC, Basij, police, and plain-clothes agents, used live ammunition, tear gas, metal pellets, and targeted head/torso shots [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_massacres), [Amnesty.org](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2026/01/what-happened-at-the-protests-in-iran/). Amnesty International verified videos and eyewitnesses confirming lethal force patterns [Amnesty.org](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2026/01/what-happened-at-the-protests-in-iran/). --- > **Claim:** A particularly disturbing pattern has emerged involving the deliberate targeting of women and young girls. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** Multiple human rights organizations have documented that Iranian security forces deliberately targeted women's heads, faces, and vital organs during the January 2026 nationwide uprising [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/). UN experts identified this pattern as deliberate gender-based targeting [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/). --- > **Claim:** Medical professionals and activists have reported that security forces are frequently aiming at the heads, faces, and hearts of female protesters, a tactic interpreted by many as an attempt to decapitate the leadership of a movement in which women have played a central role. - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms that medical professionals and activists reported security forces deliberately targeted women's heads, faces, and vital organs (including hearts) [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/). Human Rights Watch confirmed women were shot in the head from behind and in the throat [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/16/iran-growing-evidence-of-countrywide-massacres). The interpretation that this is an attempt to "decapitate the leadership" is an analytical statement, not a factual claim directly verifiable by the provided evidence. --- > **Claim:** The 18-day internet blackout, which remains largely in place, has served as a strategic tool for the regime to conduct these operations away from the scrutiny of the international community. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the 18-day internet blackout began on January 8, 2026, and was ongoing in late January [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran), [Chatham House](https://www.chathamhouse.org/2026/01/irans-internet-shutdown-signals-new-stage-digital-isolation). It explicitly states the blackout was "used to conceal crackdowns, per human rights groups" [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran). --- > **Claim:** Human Rights Watch reported verifying videos from January 11 showing at least 400 bodies piled up at the Kahrizak Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Center south of Tehran. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** Human Rights Watch (HRW) verified videos circulating from January 11, 2026, showing at least 400 bodies at the Kahrizak Forensic Diagnostic and Laboratory Center (commonly called the Kahrizak morgue) in southern Tehran [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/16/iran-growing-evidence-of-countrywide-massacres). These videos were geolocated and authenticated by HRW [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/16/iran-growing-evidence-of-countrywide-massacres). --- > **Claim:** On January 8, Reza Pahlavi called for unified action, though the movement remains largely decentralized and grassroots-driven. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** The provided search evidence does not contain any information about Reza Pahlavi or a call for unified action on January 8, 2026. --- > **Claim:** The Iranian government's insistence on blaming the U.S. and Israel for the instability is a significant factor in regional dynamics. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms that the Iranian government blamed the U.S. and Israel for the instability [Military.com](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/01/11/iran-warns-it-will-target-us-troops-and-israel-if-america-strikes-over-protests.html). --- > **Claim:** The economic drivers of the protest include: Hyperinflation and the collapse of the Iranian Rial (IRR). - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the Iranian rial experienced severe currency collapse in January 2026, reaching 1.5 million rials per US dollar by January 27, 2026. This decline has severely eroded the purchasing power of Iranian citizens, who already face significant inflation pressures [Felixnews.com](https://felixnews.com/2026/01/iranian-rial-plummets-to-lowest-point/), [ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/irans-currency-rial-falls-15-million-1-record-129590791). The currency crisis coincides with widespread protests sparked by economic hardship [ABC News](https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/irans-currency-rial-falls-15-million-1-record-129590791). --- > **Claim:** The economic drivers of the protest include: Structural economic mismanagement. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** While the search evidence mentions economic hardship and currency collapse, it does not explicitly use the term "structural economic mismanagement" as a driver, nor does it provide details to verify this specific claim. --- > **Claim:** The economic drivers of the protest include: The impact of long-standing international sanctions. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** The search evidence mentions economic hardship and currency collapse but does not explicitly detail "the impact of long-standing international sanctions" as a driver of the protests. --- > **Claim:** Amnesty International and other bodies have called for an immediate end to the use of lethal force and the restoration of internet services. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms that the UN High Commissioner Volker Türk (Jan 13) urged a halt to violence and internet restoration [Security Council Report](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2026/01/briefing-on-protests-in-iran.php). Amnesty International also called for an end to the militarized clampdown and for authorities to restore internet access [Amnesty.org](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/01/iran-authorities-unleash-heavily-militarized-clampdown-to-hide-protest-massacres/). --- > **Claim:** The systematic nature of the violence, particularly the targeting of vital organs and the faces of protesters, suggests a policy of permanent maiming and psychological warfare intended to break the will of the population. - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the systematic targeting of women's heads, faces, and vital organs by security forces [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/), [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/16/iran-growing-evidence-of-countrywide-massacres). However, the interpretation that this "suggests a policy of permanent maiming and psychological warfare intended to break the will of the population" is an analytical statement, not a directly verifiable factual claim from the evidence. --- > **Claim:** The following list details the primary human rights concerns reported between January 8 and January 28, 2026: Mass Executions and Extrajudicial Killings: Reports of security forces firing into residential areas and crowded squares. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** Amnesty International documented that security forces used snipers and military-grade weapons in residential areas, with some women killed by headshots while standing on balconies or inside their homes [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/). The evidence also refers to "mass killings" and "massacres" by security forces [HRW](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/01/16/iran-growing-evidence-of-countrywide-massacres), [Amnesty.org](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2026/01/iran-authorities-unleash-heavily-militarized-clampdown-to-hide-protest-massacres/). --- > **Claim:** The following list details the primary human rights concerns reported between January 8 and January 28, 2026: Arbitrary Detentions: Thousands of protesters have been arrested, with reports of "black sites" being used to hold detainees beyond the reach of the legal system. - **Verdict:** ⚠️ Unverified - **Analysis:** The search evidence mentions "mass arrests" [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Iran_massacres) but does not provide specific details about "thousands of protesters" being arrested or reports of "black sites" being used for detainees. --- > **Claim:** The following list details the primary human rights concerns reported between January 8 and January 28, 2026: Gender-Based Violence: Targeted attacks on women, including documented instances of sexual violence used as a tool of repression. - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms "Targeted attacks on women" and "deliberate gender-based targeting" by security forces, including aiming at heads, faces, and hearts [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/). However, the provided evidence does not specifically document instances of "sexual violence used as a tool of repression." --- > **Claim:** The following list details the primary human rights concerns reported between January 8 and January 28, 2026: Information Suppression: The 18-day internet blackout constitutes a violation of the right to freedom of expression and access to information, hampering humanitarian aid and legal documentation. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the 18-day internet blackout began on January 8, 2026, and was ongoing [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran). It also states that the blackout "disrupted hospitals, banks, and daily life; used to conceal crackdowns, per human rights groups" [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran). The UN High Commissioner urged internet restoration, implying a violation of rights [Security Council Report](https://www.securitycouncilreport.org/whatsinblue/2026/01/briefing-on-protests-in-iran.php). --- > **Claim:** Regime uses strong rhetoric, blaming external actors; military presence reported in several provinces, including Kermanshah. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the Iranian government blamed the U.S. and Israel for instability [Military.com](https://www.military.com/daily-news/2026/01/11/iran-warns-it-will-target-us-troops-and-israel-if-america-strikes-over-protests.html). It also confirms heavy military and security force deployments in Kermanshah to suppress protests, particularly from January 7-10, transforming it into a militarized zone [Critical Threats](https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/iran-update-january-13-2026), [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/24/kermanshah-30611/). --- > **Claim:** 18-day blackout ongoing; reporting relies on clandestine networks and satellite data. - **Verdict:** ⚖️ Mixed - **Analysis:** The search evidence confirms the 18-day internet blackout began on January 8, 2026, and was ongoing in late January [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Internet_blackout_in_Iran). It also mentions the government jammed Starlink and hunted dishes [Iran Intl](https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601234429), implying reliance on alternative, potentially clandestine, methods for information. However, the specific phrase "reporting relies on clandestine networks and satellite data" is not explicitly stated as a verified fact in the provided evidence, though it is a reasonable inference given the blackout. --- > **Claim:** Casualty figures rising; reports of systematic targeting of women. - **Verdict:** ✅ Verified - **Analysis:** The search evidence indicates casualty figures are high and vary widely, with reports of tens of thousands of deaths [Time](https://time.com/7357635/more-than-30000-killed-in-iran-say-senior-officials/), [Iran Intl](https://www.iranintl.com/en/202601277218). It also confirms the systematic targeting of women's heads, faces, and vital organs by security forces [Iran-HRM.com](https://iran-hrm.com/2026/01/26/the-revolutionary-guards-targeted-the-heads-faces-and-hearts-of-brave-women-and-girls-of-the-uprising/).