Iran state TV briefly hacked amid unrest

Iran’s state television was briefly hacked during recent unrest, airing protest messages and speeches as authorities acknowledged heavy casualties from the crackdown.

Iran’s state broadcaster was briefly disrupted on Sunday night after a cyber intrusion replaced regular programming with speeches by US president Donald Trump and exiled opposition figure Reza Pahlavi, Reuters reported.

The report said Iran’s state TV, known as IRIB, aired images calling on people to protest and rise up, before normal broadcasts were restored. Authorities did not immediately identify those behind the hack.

Social media posts suggested that streets across Iran have appeared calmer over the past week, following protests that began in late December and spread to multiple cities.

An Iranian official told Reuters that confirmed casualties from the unrest exceeded 5,000 people, including around 500 members of the security forces.

Human rights groups dispute the official figures, saying the true number of victims could be far higher, with particularly severe crackdowns reported in some regions.

Iranian authorities have tightened control over media and the internet during periods of unrest, frequently restricting access to social platforms and targeting activists accused of inciting protests.

Cyberattacks and broadcast disruptions have previously occurred during times of political tension in Iran, often reflecting the digital dimension of dissent alongside street protests.

Rights groups say mass arrests, use of force and communication blackouts have marked the government’s response since demonstrations erupted over political and economic grievances.

The brief hacking of state television highlights the ongoing volatility in Iran, as authorities claim order has returned while critics warn repression and unrest remain unresolved.

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