Hackers disrupt Iran state TV to support exiled prince
Hackers disrupted satellite broadcasts of Iranian state television supporting the country’s exiled crown prince and called on security forces to “not point your guns at the people”.
The online video, which appeared early Monday, was the latest disruption following street protests across the country.
The hack came as the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said the death toll in authorities’ crackdown on demonstrations had reached at least 4,029 people.
It is feared that this number will increase much more as information leaks from a country still under the influence of the government’s decision to shut down the internet.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s invitation to speak at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland was withdrawn due to the murders.
“Despite being invited last autumn, the tragic civilian deaths in Iran over the past few weeks mean that it is not appropriate for the Iranian government to be represented in Davos this year,” the forum said.
Araghchi condemned the decision, saying the forum “cancelled my participation in Davos due to lies and political pressure from Israel and its US-based proxies and apologists.”
Meanwhile, tensions remain high amid crackdowns between the United States and Iran after President Donald Trump drew two red lines for the Islamic Republic — the killing of peaceful protesters and Tehran carrying out mass executions following demonstrations.
A few days ago, a US aircraft carrier in the South China Sea passed Singapore and entered the Strait of Malacca overnight, putting it on a course that could lead to the Middle East.
Images of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi were broadcast on multiple channels Sunday night via satellite broadcast by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the country’s state broadcaster.
The video featured two clips of the prince, followed by footage of security forces and others wearing Iranian police uniforms. He claimed, without providing evidence, that others “laid down their weapons and swore allegiance to the people.”
“This is a message to the army and security forces,” one graphic said.
“Do not point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.”
The semi-official Fars news agency, believed to be close to the country’s paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, quoted a statement from the state broadcaster acknowledging that “the signal in some parts of the country was momentarily disrupted by an unknown source.” What was published was not discussed.
In the statement made by Pahlavi’s office, it was stated that the disruption experienced by the crown prince was accepted. He did not respond to questions from The Associated Press about the hack.
Although pro-Shah cries have been heard at demonstrations and nights since the crackdown, it is still an open question how much support Pahlavi enjoys in Iran.
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