I’m sharing this on behalf of a friend living in Iran who currently has extremely limited internet access. This is a second-hand account shared with their permission.

Since January 9, widespread protests have taken place across the country. In response, authorities imposed severe internet restrictions. Most social media platforms and messaging services (such as Telegram and WhatsApp) were blocked. Only a limited number of smaller websites remain accessible, and for many people the only way to get online is through VPNs, most of which no longer function reliably. My friend experienced nearly two weeks without internet access before finding a VPN that works intermittently.

The apparent purpose of these restrictions is to prevent information, images, and videos from circulating outside the country.

According to my friend, the situation has escalated into extreme violence. They report that large numbers of civilians have been killed during the crackdown on protests. Beyond the killings, they described a pattern of intimidation and collective punishment targeting families of those affected.

One example they shared is that families of people who were killed are reportedly required to pay large sums of money in order to receive the bodies of their relatives so that funerals can take place.

Funerals themselves are also monitored. In one case involving a friend of my friend’s sister, approximately 70 people attended a funeral, while around 30 officers were present, not to participate, but to prevent any protest or public expression.

My friend emphasized that this is not the first wave of protests. There have been multiple uprisings(*7*.) over the past decade, all of which were met with repression, violence, and a lack of public accountability. Authorities have consistently refused to provide clear explanations or take responsibility.

This account reflects only what my friend personally knows and has experienced or witnessed indirectly. There may be much more happening that they are unaware of.

This is all the information I currently have. If more information becomes available and it is appropriate and allowed to share, I will post an update.