image sourced from original article at Global demonstrations are planned as Iranians endure nearly 70 days of severe internet restrictions, according to monitoring group NetBlocks. Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi said the blackout has left the nation 'held hostage,' alleging that authorities have used the isolation to intensify arrests and executions while limiting communication with the outside world.
Although limited access to state-controlled domestic networks remains, most citizens have been cut off from the global internet. A select group aligned with the government can obtain restricted access through special phone cards and paid packages, creating what digital rights advocates describe as a system of discrimination. Many others risk punishment by using satellite connections or virtual private networks, with reports of arrests, violence, and soaring black market prices for access.
The prolonged outage has deepened Iran's economic crisis, with economists estimating tens of millions of dollars in daily losses and widespread damage to online businesses. While much of the population struggles with isolation and inflation, senior officials have retained unrestricted online access, drawing criticism from opposition figures who accuse the government of hypocrisy and repression.
