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Iranian state TV channels were hacked on Sunday during a nationwide internet blackout, broadcasting footage of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi alongside images of recent anti-government protests that have intensified across Iran in recent weeks.
The unprecedented breach allowed viewers to see two clips of Pahlavi, who has emerged as a symbolic opposition figure, directly addressing the Iranian military with an appeal to abandon the Islamic Republic’s leadership. “I have a special message for the military. You are the national army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic army,” Pahlavi stated during the hacked broadcast. “You have a duty to protect your own lives. You don’t have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.”
The hackers also displayed graphics urging security forces to align with protesters. “Don’t point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran,” read one message that appeared during the transmission, according to The Associated Press.
The cyberattack comes amid escalating unrest that has now entered its 22nd consecutive day. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), which documents human rights violations in Iran, reports that protests have spread across the country with devastating consequences. Their data shows at least 624 separate protest incidents nationwide, resulting in the arrest of more than 24,600 people and the confirmed deaths of 3,919 individuals.
The death toll includes 3,685 protesters, among them 25 children under 18 years of age, according to HRANA. Nearly 9,000 additional reported deaths remain under investigation, suggesting the actual casualty figures could be significantly higher.
Reports from inside Iran paint a grim picture of authorities’ response to the demonstrations. Iran International, a London-based Persian-language news channel, has collected witness testimonies describing security forces storming hospitals to remove injured protesters and interfering with medical treatment. In multiple cities, witnesses reported seeing overwhelmed morgues and heavy security presence around medical facilities.
Some accounts described critically wounded protesters being denied medical care following shootings, with ambulances failing to arrive and communications networks rendered inoperable. Other witnesses told Iran International that hospitals were either physically inaccessible or refusing to treat protesters, resulting in some victims bleeding to death while hiding in nearby buildings.
The protests occur against a backdrop of heightened international tensions, as U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering possible military action against Iran. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has directly blamed Trump for the unrest sweeping the country.
The current wave of demonstrations represents one of the most significant challenges to the Islamic Republic’s authority since its establishment in 1979, when the monarchy led by Pahlavi’s father was overthrown. The exiled crown prince has positioned himself as an advocate for democratic transition, calling for the military to protect citizens rather than the regime.
The government’s response has included implementing a near-total internet shutdown, apparently aimed at limiting communication among protesters and restricting the flow of information to the outside world. Despite these measures, images and videos of demonstrations continue to emerge, often showing violent crackdowns by security forces.
The hacking of state television, a primary information channel controlled by the regime, represents a significant symbolic blow to government authority and demonstrates that opposition forces can penetrate even tightly controlled media infrastructure during this period of unprecedented civil unrest.
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18 Comments
The hacking of Iranian state TV is a remarkable feat that gives a platform to the opposition. The crown prince’s message to the military could have important implications for the trajectory of the protests.
This incident demonstrates the technological capabilities of the protesters and their determination to disrupt the government’s information control.
The cyberattack and broadcast of the crown prince’s message are a significant escalation in the ongoing protests. It demonstrates the protesters’ ability to disrupt the government’s propaganda efforts.
This hacking incident could embolden the protesters and increase pressure on the Iranian government to address the growing unrest.
This cyberattack is a significant development in the ongoing protests in Iran. The ability to broadcast the crown prince’s message on state TV is a powerful symbolic challenge to the government’s authority.
It will be interesting to see how the Iranian government responds to this breach and whether it leads to any changes in their handling of the protests.
The hacking of Iranian state TV is a remarkable feat that gives a voice to the opposition. It will be crucial to monitor whether the crown prince’s appeal to the military has any impact on the government’s response to the protests.
This event highlights the technological savvy of the protesters and their determination to challenge the government’s information control.
This cyberattack is a significant development in the ongoing unrest in Iran. The ability to broadcast the crown prince’s message on state TV is a powerful symbolic challenge to the government’s authority.
It will be interesting to see how the Iranian government responds to this breach and whether it leads to any changes in their handling of the protests.
This cyberattack is a bold move that highlights the growing unrest in Iran. Allowing the exiled crown prince to address the military is a significant symbolic challenge to the government’s authority.
It will be crucial to monitor whether the crown prince’s appeal has any impact on the military’s response to the ongoing protests.
This hacking of Iranian state TV is a bold move that highlights the growing unrest in the country. Allowing viewers to see the exiled crown prince’s message is a significant symbolic challenge to the government’s authority.
It will be interesting to see how the Iranian government responds to this breach and whether the crown prince’s appeal resonates with the military.
The hacking of Iranian state TV is a remarkable achievement that gives a voice to the opposition. The crown prince’s message to the military could have important implications for the trajectory of the protests.
This incident demonstrates the technological sophistication of the protesters and their willingness to take bold actions to challenge the government’s control.
The hacking of Iranian state TV is a remarkable feat that highlights the growing unrest in the country. The crown prince’s message to the military could have important implications for the future of the protests.
This incident demonstrates the technological capabilities and determination of the protesters to disrupt the government’s information control.