Hackers have successfully interrupted the satellite transmissions of Iranian state television, broadcasting messages from the exiled son of the last Shah, Reza Pahlavi. In a dramatic takeover on Sunday evening, the footage included a direct appeal to Iranian security forces, urging them not to “point your weapons at the people.” This incident occurred against the backdrop of a severe crackdown on protests in Iran, where the death toll has reportedly reached at least 3,919 individuals, according to activists.
The hacked broadcast aired across various channels operated by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, which maintains a monopoly over radio and television in the country. Clips of Pahlavi were shown alongside footage of security personnel, with graphics proclaiming that some had “laid down their weapons and sworn an oath of allegiance to the people.” One graphic read, “This is a message to the army and security forces. Don’t point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.”
In response to the incident, the semi-official Fars news agency, which is considered close to Iran’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, confirmed that the broadcast signal had been disrupted in “some areas of the country by an unknown source.” However, it did not comment on the content that was aired. Pahlavi’s office acknowledged the disruption but did not provide additional details when contacted by The Associated Press.
During the broadcast, Pahlavi stated, “I have a special message for the military. You are the national army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic army. You have a duty to protect your own lives. You don’t have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.” This broadcast was made possible through social media footage shared by supporters using satellite technology to bypass internet restrictions in Iran.
This event is not without precedent; Iranian airwaves have previously been disrupted. In 1986, the CIA facilitated a clandestine broadcast for Pahlavi’s allies, and in 2022, various channels aired footage from the exiled opposition group Mujahedeen-e-Khalq, calling for the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The protests that have gripped Iran since December 28, 2023, stem from widespread discontent over the country’s struggling economy. The latest wave of unrest has resulted in a death toll surpassing that of any previous protests in recent decades, reminiscent of the turmoil surrounding the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The Human Rights Activists News Agency reported that the death toll could rise further, while Iranian officials acknowledged at least 5,000 fatalities, attributing some to “terrorists and armed rioters.”
On January 8, Pahlavi urged citizens to continue their protests, emphasizing the need for international support. In a message on the social media platform X, he declared, “The battle in Iran today is between occupation and liberation. The Iranian people have called for me to lead. I will return to Iran.” He expressed optimism that history would remember those who stand with the Iranian people in their fight for freedom.
The ongoing unrest has intensified scrutiny of the Iranian regime, particularly as authorities respond to the protests with increasing violence. As the situation evolves, the impact of the hacked broadcast and the broader implications for the Iranian government and its security forces remain to be seen.
