Report: Iran Begins Internet Shutdown Ahead of New Round of Protests

The Iranian regime has reportedly limited Internet access in several provinces across the country ahead of the anticipated renewal on Thursday of nationwide protests. Iran was rocked by demonstrations in over 100 cities in November, prompting Tehran to impose a total Internet shutdown for at least five days in a bid to prevent civilians from organizing and from posting to social media pictures of the ensuing crackdown. Reuters reported that the violent repression, which killed up to 1,500 people, was ordered directly by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Another 7,000 people are believed to have been jailed, some of whom rights groups claim have been tortured. The internal unrest, which poses perhaps the greatest challenge to the mullahs since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, has been exacerbated by protests in Iraq and Lebanon partially fueled by anger over Iranian interventionism in both countries. The regime’s predicament is further compounded by the intensifying effects of US economic sanctions.