Iran has descended into a digital void. Authorities have severed internet connectivity nationwide in a ruthless bid to crush a spreading uprising that has seen protesters topple statues of the revered General Qassem Soleimani.

The protests, now in their 12th day, have morphed from economic grievances into a full-blown revolution against the Islamic Republic. From Tehran to the Kurdish regions in the west, the streets are filled with chants of "Death to the Dictator," despite a security crackdown that rights groups say has killed at least 45 people.

Symbols of Power Falling

In a moment of profound symbolism, verified footage from Fars province showed crowds cheering as a statue of Soleimani—the architect of Iran’s regional power—was dragged to the ground. It is an act of defiance that strikes at the heart of the regime’s mythology.

• The Shutdown: NetBlocks confirmed a near-total collapse of connectivity. This tactic, used during the 2019 protests, aims to isolate cities and prevent the world from witnessing the bloodshed.
• The US Threat: President Donald Trump has weighed in, warning Tehran that Washington will "hit them very hard" if the killing of protesters continues. Senator Lindsey Graham went further, calling Ayatollah Khamenei a "religious Nazi."
• General Strike: Shopkeepers in Kurdish provinces have shuttered their businesses, heeding a call for a general strike. The bazaar, traditionally a pillar of the regime’s stability, is turning against it.

No Turning Back?

With the internet gone, rumor and fear are the only news sources in Iran. But the toppling of Soleimani’s statue suggests that fear is losing its grip. The regime is fighting for its life in the dark.