Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Ishaq Dar, has conveyed hope for a return to peace and stability within Iran and across the broader region. This sentiment was expressed during a recent phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart.
The discussion, as detailed in a post on X by Pakistan’s Foreign Office, involved FM Dar and his Iranian counterpart, identified as Abbas Araghchi. The two leaders engaged in a dialogue concerning the prevailing situation in Iran and its wider regional implications. FM Dar specifically articulated his optimism for a peaceful and stable environment, with both nations affirming their commitment to ongoing bilateral consultations on issues of mutual interest.
This diplomatic exchange occurs against a backdrop of significant internal unrest in Iran. Rights activists report that over 3,000 individuals have lost their lives amidst nationwide protests. Coinciding with these developments, there has been a reported, albeit “very slight,” increase in internet activity within the country, following an extensive eight-day blackout.
According to the United States-based Human Rights Activists News, their verification confirms 3,090 fatalities. This grim tally includes 2,885 protesters. Residents have indicated that while the immediate crackdown appears to have quelled the protests for the time being, state media has continued to report on further arrests.
The Iranian government has attributed a substantial portion of the violence to what it describes as armed rioters masquerading as protesters. These individuals have been labeled as “terrorists,” with the government alleging that external actors, specifically Israel and the United States, are orchestrating these events and are responsible for numerous deaths among both demonstrators and security forces.
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has directly implicated U.S. President Donald Trump in the casualties. Addressing a gathering of supporters during a religious holiday observance, he stated, “We hold the American president guilty for the casualties, damages and accusations he has levelled against the Iranian nation.” He further characterized the events as an “American conspiracy,” asserting that “America’s goal is to swallow Iran, the goal is to put Iran back under military, political and economic domination.”
Quiet on the Streets of Tehran
Residents of Tehran, the Iranian capital, have reported a comparative calm in the city over the past four days. Despite the presence of drones overhead, several individuals contacted for comment indicated no signs of major protests on Thursday or Friday. These individuals requested anonymity, citing safety concerns.
Roots of the Unrest
The protests initially erupted on December 28, stemming from widespread economic hardships. These demonstrations rapidly evolved into broader movements calling for an end to clerical rule in the Islamic Republic. The unrest escalated into significant violence late last week, marking what is considered the most severe domestic upheaval in Iran since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Opposition groups and an Iranian official have indicated that more than 2,000 people were killed during this period.
A Glimmer of Connectivity
The internet monitoring group NetBlocks noted a “very slight rise in internet connectivity in Iran this morning” after approximately 200 hours of a complete shutdown. However, connectivity levels remained critically low, hovering around 2% of ordinary operational capacity.
Reports from semi-official news outlets, including Mehr News and ISNA, have indicated a partial restoration of internet services for some users. Additionally, the SMS service has reportedly been reactivated.
A resident of Karaj, located west of Tehran, confirmed via WhatsApp that internet access was restored around 4 am on the day of the report. Karaj was one of the areas that experienced particularly intense violence during the protests. This resident, also requesting anonymity, described Thursday as the peak of the unrest in their city. Overseas Iranians have also shared on social media that they have been able to communicate with contacts within Iran earlier that day.
U.S. President’s Statement on Executions
U.S. President Donald Trump, who had previously threatened “very strong action” should Iran proceed with executing protesters, made a public statement indicating that Tehran’s leadership had called off mass hangings. He posted on social media, “I greatly respect the fact that all scheduled hangings, which were to take place yesterday (Over 800 of them), have been cancelled by the leadership of Iran. Thank you!” It is noteworthy that Iran had not publicly announced plans for such executions, nor had it confirmed their cancellation prior to the President’s statement.
