Iranian State TV Broadcast Interrupted
Iranian state television's satellite transmissions were disrupted on Sunday, January 18, 2026, as hackers broadcast footage supporting the country's exiled Crown Prince, Reza Pahlavi. The unauthorized content, which aired across multiple channels transmitted via Iran's Badr satellite, lasted for several minutes and included direct appeals to the nation's security forces.
The disruption featured two clips of Reza Pahlavi and messages in Farsi calling on Iranians to continue demonstrations. A graphic displayed during the hack specifically addressed the military and security forces, stating, 'Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.'
Context of Ongoing Protests
This cyberattack occurred amid a period of significant unrest in Iran, characterized by nationwide protests and a severe government crackdown. Activists have reported a substantial death toll in the crackdown, with thousands of arrests made. The incident follows a near-total internet blackout that began on January 8, 2026, with a fleeting restoration of connectivity reported just prior to the hack.
The Exiled Crown Prince
Reza Pahlavi, the son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran, has been a prominent figure in the Iranian opposition since his family's exile following the 1979 Islamic Revolution. He has lived in the United States for much of his adult life and is a vocal advocate for a secular government in Iran.
While no specific group immediately claimed responsibility for this particular intrusion, Iranian officials have attributed such cyberattacks to unnamed foreign entities. Footage of the broadcast was subsequently shared by Pahlavi's media team and circulated on social media platforms.
5 Comments
Habibi
Finally, the regime's control is being challenged directly. Well done!
Mariposa
It's encouraging to see messages of freedom reach Iranian homes, but the immediate aftermath could lead to even harsher internet restrictions and increased repression from the authorities.
Bella Ciao
This disruption certainly grabbed attention and broke through propaganda, yet one has to question the long-term effectiveness of such brief interventions against a deeply entrenched state apparatus.
Comandante
Breaking the information blockade is a significant achievement for the opposition. Still, for real change, the focus must remain on the organic, internal protests rather than external figures who may not fully understand the current landscape.
Eugene Alta
A few minutes of airtime changes nothing. The regime's grip is too strong.