India, January 20 (HBTV): Iran is facing one of its gravest crises in decades as nationwide protests, a deadly crackdown by authorities, cyber disruptions to state television and rising international pressure converge amid an ongoing internet shutdown.
Activists claim the death toll from the unrest has crossed 4,000, while tensions between Tehran and Washington remain elevated. Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions, briefly airing footage supporting exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi and urging security forces not to ‘point your weapons at the people’, according to online videos cited by the Associated Press early Monday.
The footage appeared across multiple satellite-broadcast channels of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting and included clips of security personnel, with claims that some had laid down their weapons. Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency acknowledged signal disruptions in ‘some areas of the country’ but did not specify what content was aired. Pahlavi’s office confirmed the appearance of the footage but declined to comment on the hacking.
According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency, at least 4,029 people have been killed in the crackdown on protests, with concerns that the toll could rise further as more information emerges despite the internet shutdown. The agency said 3,786 of those killed were demonstrators, along with 180 security personnel, 28 children and 35 non-protesters. It also reported that more than 26,000 people have been arrested.
Iranian authorities have not released an official death toll. Earlier, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the protests had left ‘several thousand’ people dead and blamed the United States for the unrest.
Concerns have intensified over possible executions of detainees. Iran’s top police officer, Ahmad-Reza Radan, reportedly issued an ultimatum to protesters described as ‘deceived’, asking them to surrender within three days in exchange for leniency or face severe punishment. A joint statement from Iran’s president, judiciary chief and parliament speaker said that while ‘killers and seditious terrorists will be punished’, leniency would be shown to those who were misled into participating.
International pressure has also increased. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi had his invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos withdrawn due to the killings, with the forum stating that it was not appropriate for the Iranian government to be represented this year. Araghchi criticised the decision, alleging political pressure. The Munich Security Conference has also withdrawn invitations for Iranian officials.
Amid rising regional tensions, ship-tracking data analysed by the Associated Press showed the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier entering the Strait of Malacca, potentially en route to the Middle East. The carrier had been stationed in the South China Sea with its strike group to deter China amid tensions over Taiwan.
The tracking data further indicated that the USS Frank E Petersen Jr, USS Michael Murphy and USS Spruance, all guided missile destroyers, are accompanying the Abraham Lincoln through the strait. Multiple US media reports citing anonymous officials said the carrier, based in San Diego, is heading towards the Middle East, although it would take several days before its aircraft are within operational range of the region.
At present, the Middle East does not have an aircraft carrier group or an amphibious ready group, complicating any discussion of potential military action against Iran, particularly as Gulf Arab states generally oppose such an attack.
Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned Tehran against killing peaceful protesters or carrying out mass executions following the unrest, though he recently thanked Iranian authorities for cancelling the hangings of some protesters.
Iran remains under heavy security with limited internet access as authorities struggle to contain the fallout from what is being described as the deadliest unrest the country has witnessed in decades.
(Times of India)