Iran is currently grappling with widespread anti-government protests that escalated on January 8, 2026, following a call for mass demonstrations by the exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. These protests, primarily fueled by public anger over the country's ailing economy and high cost of living, have spread across all 31 provinces and are considered the largest since the 2022 'Woman, Life, Freedom' movement. Amidst the rising unrest, Iranian authorities have imposed a nationwide internet blackout, significantly disrupting communication channels in Tehran and other regions. Internet monitoring group NetBlocks confirmed a 'near total collapse of internet connectivity for mobile providers,' an action frequently employed by the government to suppress dissent. There are also reports indicating disruptions to telephone services. Tragically, the crackdown by security forces has resulted in a mounting death toll. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights (IHR) reported that at least 45 protesters, including eight children, have been killed since the demonstrations began in late December. Other human rights agencies estimate the fatalities to be between 27 and 39 people. The severity of the response has drawn international attention, with concerns raised over human rights and freedom of expression. Images from social media, verified by news outlets, showed large crowds in Tehran and other cities, with some instances of protesters toppling statues of government figures like Qassem Suleimani. The current wave of unrest underscores deep-seated grievances against the Iranian leadership and its economic policies.