Protesters gathered in Kermanshah, western Iran, on Jan. 8, 2026. (Credit: Illustration photo Kamran/AFP)
On Jan. 11, Donald Trump said he could make the internet work and would call Elon Musk, praising his expertise, just days after Iran imposed a nationwide shutdown in response to mass protests that erupted on Dec. 28, 2025, over the economic crisis and clerical rule.The next day, Trump gave hope to the protesters by promising that "help was on the way," but Tehran ultimately crushed the movement with violence, with the death toll ranging from 3,000, according to official statements, to up to 30,000 killed according to some unverified estimates.Uncertainty has been fueled by the blackout, which continues in part to this day. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that, faced with this shutdown, the Trump administration decided to deliver around 6,000 Starlink terminals — Starlink being a company founded by billionaire Elon Musk —...
On Jan. 11, Donald Trump said he could make the internet work and would call Elon Musk, praising his expertise, just days after Iran imposed a nationwide shutdown in response to mass protests that erupted on Dec. 28, 2025, over the economic crisis and clerical rule.The next day, Trump gave hope to the protesters by promising that "help was on the way," but Tehran ultimately crushed the movement with violence, with the death toll ranging from 3,000, according to official statements, to up to 30,000 killed according to some unverified estimates.Uncertainty has been fueled by the blackout, which continues in part to this day. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) revealed that, faced with this shutdown, the Trump administration decided to deliver around 6,000 Starlink terminals — Starlink being a company founded by billionaire Elon Musk...
