Several reports indicate that telecoms providers in Iran have begun blocking internet access across several cities in the country as mass protests erupted for the third day in a row.
Among the telecoms company was Hamrahe Aval, the primary Mobile Telecommunication Company of Iran (MTCI or MCI) as social media continues to play a pivotal role in documenting mass protests and subsequent brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters in the country.
READ MORE: Three killed in shooting by Revolutionary Guards during protests in central Iran
The MTCI is considered a firm jointly held by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and other firms controlled by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Iran’s two main internet and communications service providers are the Telecommunication Company of Iran (TCI) and Irancell. TCI and its subsidiaries, including MCI, are owned by Tosee Etemad Mobin Company which has close links to Iran’s IRGC.
RELATED: Al Arabiya English’s ongoing coverage of Iran Protests
Iran had previously cut off internet access across several cities when the popular Green Movement protests took place against what many considered unfair elections in 2009 when hardliner incumbent president at the time, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, won relection.
Last Update: Sunday, 31 December 2017 KSA 23:49 - GMT 20:49
2nd2no1 on December 31st, 2017 at 07:40 UTC »
So honest question, are these protest as big as the media is making them here in the US, or is it propaganda? Or both?
smashew on December 31st, 2017 at 04:36 UTC »
If you are the kind of country where people are going to turn off the Internet, you are the kind of country that is going to have its media stations stormed by angry citizens.
Degg19 on December 31st, 2017 at 03:11 UTC »
Yup that’s totally gonna help. \s