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Several Iranian state TV channels were hacked on Sunday amid a near-complete internet shutdown to broadcast footage of exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi and images of anti-government protests that have rocked Tehran in recent weeks.
Two clips of Pahlavi were shown as well as a graphic calling on Iranian security forces to take the public’s side, the Associated Press reported.
One graphic reads, “Don’t point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.” according to A translation from the outlet.
Pahlavi himself called on Iran’s military to break ties with the Islamic Republic and support the people.
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A demonstrator holds a picture of Reza Pahlavi and Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose image has been cropped, during a protest in Houston demanding US action against Iran on January 18, 2026. (Reginald Mathalone/Nurfoto via Getty Images)
“I have a special message for the army. You are the National Army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic Army,” he said in the hacked broadcast. “It is your duty to protect your life. You do not have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.”
US-based Human Rights Activist News Agency (HRANA), which monitors human rights violations in Iran. said on sunday Nationwide protests continued into their 22nd day as President Donald Trump considers possible US military action.
Data collected by the group revealed 624 recorded protests, arrests of at least 24,669 people and confirmed deaths of 3,919 individuals.
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London-based Iranians burn pictures of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during a protest outside Downing Street to call for political change in Iran on January 18, 2026. (Lab Q Mo/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
HRANA said 3,685 of those killed were protesters, including 25 children under the age of 18.
Nearly 9,000 deaths are under investigation.
Iran International reported this Witnesses in several cities told them that security forces stormed hospitals, removed injured protesters and interfered with medical care, while reports from other areas described crowded morgues and a strong security presence around medical facilities.
A woman climbs the stairs of an overpass next to a burnt building that was damaged during recent protests in Tehran on January 19, 2026. (Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images)
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The outlet also reported that witnesses reported that injured protesters were left without medical care after the shooting, as ambulances failed to arrive and phone networks were unavailable.
Others said hospitals were inaccessible or refused treatment, resulting in some injured protesters bleeding to death while they took shelter in nearby buildings.
