Internet disruption, several arrests made as Iran protests continue

Tehran, Iran – Iranians are again experiencing internet disruptions amid ongoing protests across the country as state authorities warn against foreign sabotage and organise demonstrations. Internet users reported sporadic disruptions to home and mobile connections; Cloudflare data showed an average 35% lower traffic volume in Iran compared with previous days. Authorities previously limited connectivity during protests and mid‑June war-related outages. The government did not directly link the slowdown to protests, but ICT Minister Sattar Hashemi said Iran had fended off one of the largest cyberattacks in recent memory, which could have affected bandwidth. Protests that started among traders and salesmen in downtown Tehran have spread to cities nationwide. At least 10 people have been killed, including a young business owner in Hamedan and a 17-year-old shot dead in Qom; state media reported IRGC casualties and other deaths in Ilam and Malekshahi. Provincial IRGC branches said arrests were made, including three alleged 'leaders' in Khorramabad, Lorestan. State TV aired alleged confessions from detained men claiming ties to foreign agents. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei blamed foreign influence and said rioters must be 'put in their place.' President Masoud Pezeshkian condemned US backing for Israel while US President Donald Trump said he would 'come to the rescue' of protesters if they were killed. Authorities organised large pro-state gatherings in Tehran and across cities to mark the anniversary of Qassem Soleimani's death; banners and ceremonies were deployed. Businesses, schools, universities and government offices have been shut since Wednesday; several students reportedly detained in university protests. Economic context: years of deterioration under sanctions, inflation near 50%; central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin was fired and reassigned, replaced by Abdolnaser Hemmati. The situation is ongoing, with protests, internet disruptions, arrests, and state counter-events reported across multiple provinces.