Iran’s state television satellite transmissions were briefly hacked late Sunday night, allowing unauthorised content supporting the country’s exiled crown prince, Reza Pahlavi, to be broadcast across multiple channels. The intrusion occurred against the backdrop of ongoing nationwide protests and a severe government crackdown that rights groups say has left thousands of people dead. (The Siasat Daily)
Footage shared online showed clips of Pahlavi along with graphics urging Iran’s security forces not to use force against civilians and to side with the people in their demonstrations. Messages from the broadcast called for the military and police to “join the nation for the freedom of Iran,” and challenged regular programming across the state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) network. (The Siasat Daily)
The disruption reportedly lasted several minutes and affected channels transmitted via satellite — a rare breach of one of Iran’s most tightly controlled information platforms. Acknowledging the incident in a limited statement, the broadcaster described the signal disruption as caused by an unknown source but did not detail what was aired. (KSAT)
The hack comes during a period of heightened tensions in Iran, where widespread demonstrations triggered by economic grievances have morphed into broader anti-government protests. Iranian authorities have imposed strict internet shutdowns and communications crackdowns in response, making independent verification of events within the country difficult. (The Times of India)
Political analysts note that such an audacious broadcast interruption may signal growing sophistication among dissent networks and reflects public frustration with state controls over information. However, it also raises concerns about the risks of deepening instability amid ongoing clashes between security forces and protesters. (The Times of India)
