The Shine of Starlink Amid 140-Hour Internet Blackout in Iran; President Trump's Hopeful Message 'Help is on the Way'

Iran has been under a complete internet blackout for over 140 hours. This widespread outage began early Thursday following a surge in nationwide protests in several cities. Experts say the government has intentionally limited communication infrastructure to prevent the dissemination of images and news about the protests, halting users' connection to the global network. As of the time of this report, only a number of Starlink connections remain active in 31 locations across the country; these connections shine like stars in the virtual darkness, keeping a small window open for Iran's communication with the outside world. Data obtained from monitoring internet traffic in Iran shows that nearly 50% of these Starlink connections are from Tehran, about 11% from Fars, and nearly 10% from Isfahan. These limited pathways have enabled the sending of images and fresh reports about the protests and the crackdown by security forces. Since yesterday afternoon, one-way phone calls from inside Iran to abroad have been established, allowing many to connect with their relatives and check on their well-being. However, sources from Voice of America report that in at least two cases, calls between citizens and their families abroad were intercepted by security agencies. The organization 'NetBlocks', which has monitored digital censorship worldwide for years, has introduced several strategies to bypass these restrictions: using shortwave radio and amateur radios, connecting to border telecommunications towers, utilizing Starlink terminals, and direct satellite communication with mobile phones. Experts warn that this 'digital blackout' makes documenting killings and human rights violations difficult and provides security forces with a 'cover' to use deadly force against protesters with less media scrutiny. Donald Trump, the President of the United States, has repeatedly warned about the killing of protesters against the Islamic Republic and its repressive apparatus. He has stated clearly and firmly that if the Iranian government starts killing protesters, the United States will practically assist the people and target the Islamic Republic. He emphasized, 'We will hit them very hard, exactly where it hurts the most. This does not mean sending ground troops, but it will be a very heavy blow.' On Tuesday, January 23, Trump also issued a clear and firm message on the social media platform Truth Social, urging Iranian protesters to continue their protests and take over institutions; 'Help is on the way.' In this message addressed to 'patriots of Iran,' Trump wrote: 'Continue your protests and seize your institutions.' He also urged protesters to document the names of 'killers and suppressors' and warned that these individuals 'will pay a heavy price.' The U.S. President further announced that in response to the killing of protesters, 'all meetings and communications with Iranian officials' have been canceled. He stressed that this decision will continue until the 'meaningless killing of protesters stops.' Trump concluded his message with a clear tone: 'Help is on the way.' Despite this unprecedented crackdown, posts shared on social media indicate that the widespread uprising of the Iranian people against the Islamic Republic continues despite killings, arrests, and communication disruptions. This shows that the protests have not subsided, and large segments of society continue to stand against the government. Observers believe that what is happening in Iran today is one of the most serious challenges to the survival of the Islamic Republic in over four decades.