Key Facts
- ✓ Hundreds of protesters have been killed in demonstrations over the past two weeks according to rights groups and local sources in Iran
- ✓ Iranian authorities have shut down the internet and cut off phone lines to thwart protests
- ✓ The exact number of victims is difficult to gauge because of the information blackout in the country
- ✓ Ershad Alijani is a journalist with FRANCE 24 Observers who reported on these events
Quick Summary
According to rights groups and local sources in Iran, hundreds of protesters have been killed during demonstrations over the past two weeks. The exact number of victims remains difficult to determine due to an information blackout in the country.
In an attempt to thwart the protests, Iranian authorities have shut down the internet and cut off phone lines. The communications blackout has made it challenging to gauge the precise scale of casualties.
These developments were reported by Ershad Alijani, a journalist with FRANCE 24 Observers, who highlighted the difficulties in verifying exact figures due to the ongoing restrictions on information flow.
Casualty Reports and Information Blackout
Reports from rights groups and local sources indicate that hundreds of protesters have lost their lives in demonstrations spanning the past two weeks. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing challenges in obtaining accurate casualty figures.
The primary obstacle to verification is the information blackout imposed across the country. This blackout has severely limited the ability of observers to track and confirm the exact number of victims.
According to journalist Ershad Alijani of FRANCE 24 Observers, the difficulty in gauging the precise death toll stems directly from these communication restrictions. The blackout continues to obscure the full scope of the crisis.
"it remains difficult to gauge the exact number of victims because of the information blackout in the country"
— Ershad Alijani, FRANCE 24 Observers journalist
Government Measures to Thwart Protests
In response to the growing demonstrations, Iranian authorities have implemented severe communication restrictions. These measures appear designed to disrupt organizing efforts and limit the flow of information both within and outside the country.
The specific actions taken include:
- Complete shutdown of internet services
- Cutoff of phone lines
- Severe restrictions on information flow
These communications restrictions represent a significant escalation in attempts to control the situation. By severing digital and telephonic connections, authorities have created an environment where verifying events on the ground becomes extremely difficult.
Source of Information
The reports of mass casualties and government crackdowns come from multiple rights groups and local sources within Iran. These entities have been attempting to document the situation despite the severe communication restrictions.
Information about these events was shared through Ershad Alijani, who reports for FRANCE 24 Observers. The journalist's reporting emphasizes the challenges of obtaining reliable information under current conditions.
The combination of local sources and organized rights groups provides a network of information that continues to operate despite the blackout, though verification remains a significant challenge.
Impact of Communication Restrictions
The shutdown of internet and phone services has created an information vacuum that affects not only those within Iran but also the international community's ability to understand the situation. This blackout makes it nearly impossible to confirm specific details about the protests.
Key impacts of the communication restrictions include:
- Difficulty in determining exact casualty figures
- Limited ability for protesters to organize
- Reduced flow of information to the outside world
- Challenges in verifying events through independent sources
The information blackout represents a critical barrier to transparency and accountability. Without reliable communication channels, the full extent of the situation remains largely unknown, relying on fragmented reports from those able to bypass restrictions.








