How social media is channeling popular discontent in Iran during ongoing period of domestic unrest

Information is still getting out despite an almost total internet blackout, especially with the help of diaspora groups. That poses a big problem for the government.

By: Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, Arizona State University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 13, 2026

Words: 1,462

Last Updated: 2 months, 1 week ago

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By Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, Arizona State University

Days of protest across Iran have left hundreds dead and many more injured.

Attempts by Iranian authorities to quell dissent through a near-total internet blackout point to the pivotal role that social media has played in organizing, spreading and documenting unrest.

The Conversation asked Shirvin Zeinalzadeh, an expert on the impact of media in collective action in Iran, to analyze how social media has been …

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