On January 19, 2026, Iranian state television experienced a significant disruption as hackers took control of satellite transmissions, broadcasting messages in support of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. The video urged security forces to refrain from using violence against protesters amid ongoing national unrest. Activists report that the death toll from the government's crackdown has exceeded 3,919 individuals, and concerns are rising that this number may increase due to the continued suppression of information.
The footage aired on multiple state channels, featuring clips of Pahlavi alongside images of security personnel, with messages encouraging allegiance to the people rather than to the regime. One graphic explicitly called for the military to protect the citizens, stating, “Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.”
The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting acknowledged a brief disruption of their signal, attributing it to an "unknown source" but did not elaborate on the content that was aired. The situation has heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, particularly following comments from President Donald Trump regarding the treatment of protesters and potential military responses.