Hackers Disrupt Iranian State TV with Pro-Prince Broadcast
Hackers successfully hijacked Iranian state television satellite transmissions early Monday. They broadcast footage supporting the country's exiled crown prince. The hackers also called on security forces to avoid targeting civilians.
Online videos captured the disruption across multiple channels. The channels belong to Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, the state-controlled monopoly.
Footage Shows Direct Appeal to Military
The hacked broadcast featured two clips of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. It also showed individuals in what appeared to be Iranian police uniforms. Graphics displayed a clear message to the army and security forces.
"Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran," one graphic stated. The footage claimed, without providing evidence, that some forces had already laid down their weapons.
Pahlavi delivered a direct message during the hack. "I have a special message for the military. You are the national army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic army," he said. He urged them to join the people quickly.
State Broadcaster Acknowledges Disruption
The semiofficial Fars news agency reported a statement from the state broadcaster. It acknowledged a momentary signal disruption in some areas from an unknown source. The statement did not discuss the content that was aired.
Pahlavi's office also acknowledged the broadcast showing the crown prince. It did not respond to questions about who was responsible for the hack.
Death Toll Rises Amid Internet Blackout
This cyber intrusion coincides with a severe government crackdown on nationwide protests. Activists now report a death toll of at least 3,919 people. They fear this number will increase as information slowly leaks out.
The country remains under a near-total internet shutdown imposed by authorities. This makes verifying casualty figures extremely difficult. The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency provided the latest toll, relying on a network of inside sources.
Iranian officials have not released a clear death toll. However, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei recently stated the protests left "several thousand" dead. He blamed the United States for the casualties.
History of Broadcast Intrusions
This is not the first time Iranian airwaves have been compromised.
- In 1986, the CIA reportedly supplied Pahlavi's allies with a transmitter for an 11-minute clandestine broadcast.
- In 2022, channels aired footage from an exiled opposition group calling for the supreme leader's death.
Social media footage of Sunday's hack circulated online. It was likely shared by individuals using Starlink satellites to bypass the national internet blockade.
Regional Tensions Escalate with US Naval Movement
International tensions are rising alongside the domestic crisis. The United States has drawn clear red lines regarding Iran's actions.
President Donald Trump warned against the killing of peaceful protesters and mass executions. In a significant military movement, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier group is now heading toward a potential Middle East deployment.
Ship-tracking data analyzed Monday showed the carrier passing through the Strait of Malacca. This route could bring it to the Middle East within several days. The carrier was previously in the South China Sea as a deterrent to China.
Several guided missile destroyers are traveling with the Lincoln. The Middle East has been without a U.S. carrier group recently, which complicates potential military planning.
Uncertain Support for the Exiled Prince
Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi's father, the Shah, fled Iran during the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The prince recently urged protesters onto the streets as the crackdown intensified.
How much genuine support he commands inside Iran remains unclear. However, pro-shah chants have been heard at some demonstrations. The recent hack boldly amplifies his voice directly into Iranian homes during a critical moment.
The current death toll surpasses that of any major protest in Iran for decades. It recalls the chaotic period of the revolution itself. The situation continues to develop under a veil of state-controlled information and external pressure.
