Total internet blackout in Iran as demonstrations spread across the country

Iran was plunged into a complete internet blackout last night as demonstrations over economic conditions spread nationwide, increasing pressure on the country's leadership.

- William Christou

While it was unclear what caused the internet outage, first reported by the internet freedom monitor Net-Blocks, Iranian authorities have shut down the internet in response to protests in the past.

NetBlocks had reported outages in the western city of Kermanshah earlier in the day, as authorities intensified their crackdown against protesters. The Norway-based NGO Iran Human Rights said Iranian security forces have killed at least 45 protesters, including eight children, since the demonstrations began in late December.

Shopkeepers heeded calls from seven Kurdish political groups for a general strike, closing their doors in Kurdish regions and dozens of other cities around Iran. Demonstrations reached all 31 provinces as the protest movement, now in its 12th day, showed no signs of abating.

In the southern Fars province demonstrators pulled down the statue of the former senior Iranian Revolutionary Guards Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani - considered a hero of mythical proportions by government supporters. Iran Human Rights said Wednesday was the bloodiest day of the movement, with 13 protesters confirmed to have been killed.