A woman crosses an intersection in downtown Tehran, Iran, Friday, Jan. 16, 2026.
Hackers briefly seized Iran state TV satellite signals to air messages backing exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi.
The disruption came amid intense nationwide protests and a rising death toll from a sweeping government crackdown.
The incident added to mounting pressure on Tehran as tensions with the United States continued to rise.
Iran State TV Hack Shakes State Media Control
The hack targeted satellite broadcasts of Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting late Sunday night.
Several channels were affected across different regions.
Viewers saw clips of Reza Pahlavi addressing Iran’s military and security forces.
The broadcast urged forces to stop using weapons against civilians.
It called on them to stand with protesters seeking political change.
The message framed the military as a national force, not a regime tool.
Graphics shown during the hack claimed some forces had already laid down arms.
No evidence was provided to support the claim.
The footage circulated quickly on social media platforms outside Iran.
Pahlavi Message Aims at Security Forces
In the hacked broadcast, Pahlavi directly addressed Iran’s armed forces.
He urged them to protect their own lives and the nation’s future.
He warned that time was running out for peaceful alignment with the public.
Pahlavi’s office later acknowledged the broadcast disruption.
It confirmed that his footage was aired during the hack.
No further comment was offered on how the intrusion occurred.
Iranian authorities blamed an unknown external source.
They did not explain how the state’s secure satellite systems were breached.
The content of the broadcast was also left unaddressed.
Social Media and Starlink Spread the Footage
Footage of the hack spread rapidly online.
Many clips appeared to come from viewers outside Iran.
Some may have used Starlink systems to bypass internet restrictions.
Iran has repeatedly shut down internet access during protests.
The goal has been to restrict communication and information flow.
Despite this, videos continue to surface through external channels.
Pahlavi’s supporters actively reshared the hacked footage.
They framed it as a symbolic break in state media control.
Analysts say such moments carry strong psychological impact.
History of Iran Broadcast Disruptions
This was not the first time Iranian broadcasts were hijacked.
In 1986, clandestine transmissions briefly interrupted state programming.
Those broadcasts also featured messages from the royal family.
More recently, similar hacks occurred in 2022.
They aired opposition leaders and anti-leadership messages.
Each incident challenged the regime’s tight grip on media.
Crackdown Death Toll Continues to Rise
The hack followed weeks of deadly unrest across Iran.
Activists say the government response has been unusually violent.
The death toll now stands at at least 3,919 people.
Human rights groups warn the figure could increase further.
Limited internet access has delayed information from remote regions.
Independent verification remains difficult.
Iranian officials have not released detailed casualty numbers.
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei acknowledged “several thousand” deaths.
He blamed foreign interference for the unrest.
US Aircraft Carrier Moves Closer to Middle East
Amid the unrest, US-Iran tensions remain high.
President Donald Trump warned Iran against killing peaceful protesters.
He also cautioned against mass executions.
Ship-tracking data shows a US aircraft carrier heading westward.
The USS Abraham Lincoln passed through the Strait of Malacca.
Its route could bring it closer to the Middle East.
US officials say the movement signals readiness, not escalation.
Still, the timing has drawn global attention.
The region currently lacks a permanent US carrier presence.
Protests Enter a Critical Phase
The protests mark Iran’s deadliest unrest in decades.
They echo the instability seen during the 1979 revolution.
Public anger remains fueled by economic hardship and repression.
Support for Pahlavi inside Iran remains unclear.
However, pro-monarchy chants have surfaced at demonstrations.
The hacked broadcast has added a new dimension to the crisis.
As Iran tightens control, digital and satellite disruptions continue.
Each incident deepens uncertainty about what comes next.
