Iran Weighs Lifting Internet Ban as State TV Hit by Apparent Hack

Iran may lift its internet restrictions within the next few days, a senior member of parliament said on Monday, following days of heavy security measures used to suppress the country’s worst unrest since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The blackout was imposed as authorities moved forcefully to crush anti-government protests that erupted in late December. Although Iran’s streets have remained largely quiet for the past week, the situation showed fresh signs of instability late Sunday when state television appeared to be hacked.

During the brief breach, broadcasts were interrupted by clips of speeches from Donald Trump and Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s last shah, both urging Iranians to rise up against the ruling system. Iranian officials did not immediately comment on the incident.

Opposition groups accuse the authorities of opening fire on peaceful demonstrators to silence dissent. Iran’s clerical leadership has rejected those claims, arguing that armed groups, allegedly encouraged by foreign enemies, attacked hospitals, mosques and public institutions.

The possible lifting of the internet ban is being closely watched as a signal of whether Tehran is prepared to de-escalate controls after weeks of shutdowns that cut millions off from communication, banking and online services.