As Iran enters the third week of nationwide protests, the crisis has deepened into a multifaceted confrontation involving technology, diplomacy, and military posturing—drawing in international actors and sparking fierce debate across global capitals. With more than 600 people reportedly killed, according to rights groups cited by DW, the unrest has triggered a cascade of responses from world leaders, digital rights organizations, and Iranian authorities alike.
The protests, which erupted in late December over economic grievances such as the collapse of the Iranian rial, soaring inflation, and a hike in subsidized gasoline prices, have since evolved into a sweeping challenge to clerical rule. Demonstrators now openly call for an end to the Islamic Republic, established nearly five decades ago. As frustration mounts over political repression and lack of freedoms, millions have joined the movement, emboldened by the scale and intensity of the mobilization.
The Iranian government’s response has been swift and severe. Authorities cut off domestic internet and phone lines, plunging the country into a digital blackout that, as Netblocks reported, had lasted over 84 hours by January 12, 2026. The blackout has made it "extremely difficult to independently verify" reports from inside Iran, Iran Human Rights told DW, further complicating efforts to assess the true scale of violence and dissent.
In a dramatic escalation, Iranian authorities deployed military-grade jamming technology to shut down Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet, according to digital rights monitors cited by BBC. This move, described by experts as unprecedented, effectively severed protesters’ last reliable communication lifeline. The advanced GPS and microwave jammers, possibly supplied by Russia or China, have not only crippled mobile networks nationwide but are also costing Iran an estimated $1.56 million per hour in economic losses, BBC reported. The blackout is so complete that, as one Kurdish civil activist told DW, "people's only remaining access to information is through satellite television, which in most cities is heavily jammed."
The government’s clampdown hasn’t stopped at digital repression. Reports from DW describe a large-scale transfer of Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces to western border provinces, with heavy military equipment and special forces deployed in areas like West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah. Access points to cities have been blocked, checkpoints set up, and citizens stopped and searched—sometimes forced to unlock their mobile phones. Daily life in border villages has been severely disrupted, with sweeping restrictions on movement and local activities.
The international response has been swift and varied. US President Donald Trump, according to Reuters, weighed a range of options—including military action—if Tehran continued its violent suppression of protests. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, "Airstrikes would be one of the many, many options that are on the table for the commander-in-chief. Diplomacy is always the first option for the president." Yet, even as Trump threatened intervention, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi signaled a willingness to negotiate, stating that Tehran is "ready for war but also for dialogue" with the US, as reported by DW.
China, meanwhile, took a firm stance against foreign interference. On January 12, 2026, Chinese foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning declared, "We always oppose interference in other countries' internal affairs," urging all parties to "do more things conducive to peace and stability in the Middle East," according to Xinhua.
European leaders have also made their positions clear. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during a visit to India, condemned Iran’s use of "disproportionate and brutal violence" against protesters, calling it "a sign of weakness." French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this sentiment, writing on X, "I condemn the state violence that indiscriminately targets Iranian women and men who courageously demand respect for their rights." Macron emphasized, "Respect for fundamental freedoms is a universal requirement, and we stand alongside those who defend them."
The European Parliament took the unprecedented step of banning all Iranian diplomats and representatives from its premises in Brussels, Strasbourg, and Luxembourg. European Parliament President Roberta Metsola stated, "It cannot be business as usual. As the brave people of Iran continue to stand up for their rights and their liberty, today I have taken the decision to ban all diplomatic staff and any other representatives of the Islamic Republic of Iran from all European Parliament premises." Metsola added, "This House will not aid in legitimising this regime that has sustained itself through torture, repression and murder."
Further diplomatic fallout ensued as Iran summoned the ambassadors of Germany, France, Italy, and the UK, demanding that their governments withdraw official statements supporting the protesters. The European Union, for its part, is reportedly preparing new sanctions against Iran in response to the violent crackdown, with EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni stating, "We stand ready to propose new, more severe sanctions following the violent crackdown on protesters."
German politicians have called for even stronger measures. Omid Nouripour, a Bundestag vice president and member of the Green Party, urged the EU to add the IRGC to its terror list and pressed for technical support to help Iranian protesters bypass internet restrictions. "This combination means that all classes have ended up going out on the street and are no longer afraid despite the violence," Nouripour said. His colleague Franziska Brantner called for an Iran summit, inviting members of civil society and the Iranian diaspora to send a clear signal of support.
Amid the chaos, pro-government rallies have also taken place. On January 12, 2026, crowds gathered at Enghelab (Islamic Revolution) Square in Tehran, waving banners with slogans like "Death to Israel, Death to America," as reported by AFP. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei praised these counterprotesters, writing on X, "The great Iranian nation, today you accomplished a great deed and made a historic day." Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf addressed the rally, framing Iran’s struggle as a "four-front war"—economic, psychological, military (with the US and Israel), and against domestic protesters.
The unrest has also affected international travel and commerce. German airline Lufthansa delayed its planned resumption of flights to Tehran, citing safety concerns. "The safety of passengers and crew is always Lufthansa's top priority," a spokesperson told DW, announcing the suspension of flights until at least January 28, 2026.
Across Europe, exiled Iranians and supporters have staged solidarity demonstrations, demanding justice, political change, and basic human rights for people in Iran. The EU’s ongoing debate over new sanctions, alongside calls for more direct support for Iranian civil society, points to a growing consensus that the crisis in Iran is not just a regional issue, but a test of international resolve on human rights and democratic freedoms.
As the standoff continues, with Iranian authorities escalating their crackdown and the world watching closely, the fate of the protesters—and the country’s future—hangs in the balance. The coming days will reveal whether international pressure and domestic resilience can bring about meaningful change, or if Iran’s rulers will succeed in silencing dissent through force and isolation.
