Informed Comment Homepage

Thoughts on the Middle East, History and Religion

Header Right

  • Featured
  • US politics
  • Middle East
  • Environment
  • US Foreign Policy
  • Energy
  • Economy
  • Politics
  • About
  • Archives
  • Submissions

© 2025 Informed Comment

  • Skip to content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Authoritarianism
Iranian Government Websites Go Dark; 'Anonymous' Hacker Collective Claims Responsibility

Iranian Government Websites Go Dark; ‘Anonymous’ Hacker Collective Claims Responsibility

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty 09/23/2022

Tweet
Share
Reddit
Email

By Ardeshir Tayebi | –

( RFE/RL ) – Several Iranian government and state-owned websites have been taken down by Anonymous, the international activist hacker group says, in a move of support for nationwide protests that followed the death of a 22-year-old woman following her arrest by the morality police.

The website of the Iranian presidency, the government-affiliated Fars news agency, and the forensic medical research center of Iran are among the hacked websites that are currently unavailable.

On September 20, a Twitter account purported to belong to the Anonymous group posted a video message that vowed support for the protesters and for women’s rights. “We are here and we are with you! #OpIran Engaged. Expect Us!” the message read.

“This was the last straw,” an altered voice on the video that claimed to be from Anonymous said of Mahsa Amini’s death, “the Iranian people are not alone.”

Article continues after bonus IC video
Eyes on the World: “Anonymous Attacks Iran’s Government | Iran Protests”

Demonstrations erupted across Iran recently over the death of Amini and the Iranian government imposed a near-total Internet shutdown on September 21 as nationwide protests continued.

NetBlocks, a London-based internet observatory group, says Iran is now subject to the most severe internet restrictions since violent November 2019 protests over the sudden rise in the price of gasoline.

The recent wave of protests have expanded to as many as 80 cities in Iran, with at least nine deaths confirmed by various sources.

Written by Ardeshir Tayebi based on an original story in Persian by RFE/RL’s Radio Farda

RFE/RL’s Radio Farda

RFE/RL’s Radio Farda breaks through government censorship to deliver accurate news and provide a platform for informed discussion and debate to audiences in Iran.

Via RFE/RL

Copyright (c)2022 RFE/RL, Inc. Used with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave NW, Ste 400, Washington DC 20036.

Filed Under: Authoritarianism, Dissent, Hacking, Internet, Iran

About the Author

Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty RFE/RL journalists report the news in 23 countries where a free press is banned by the government or not fully established. We provide what many people cannot get locally: uncensored news, responsible discussion, and open debate. RFE/RL strives to meet the highest standards of objective journalism and report the facts, undaunted by pressure or attempted influence​. RFE/RL is registered with the IRS as a private, nonprofit Sec. 501(c)3 corporation, and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Congress through the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM) as a private grantee. RFE/RL's editorial independence is protected by U.S. law.

Primary Sidebar

Support Independent Journalism

Click here to donate via PayPal.

Personal checks should be made out to Juan Cole and sent to me at:

Juan Cole
P. O. Box 4218,
Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548
USA
(Remember, make the checks out to “Juan Cole” or they can’t be cashed)

STAY INFORMED

Join our newsletter to have sharp analysis delivered to your inbox every day.
Warning! Social media will not reliably deliver Informed Comment to you. They are shadowbanning news sites, especially if "controversial."
To see new IC posts, please sign up for our email Newsletter.

Social Media

Bluesky | Instagram

Popular

  • Regime Change: From Thomas Jefferson to Donald Trump
  • War Criminal Netanyahu nominates Felon Trump for the Nobel Prize
  • Why Faith Leaders are standing up to the Largest pro-Israel Christian Lobby
  • In Too Much of the US, Israel's Gaza Genocide Has Been Made Invisible
  • Did the US and Israeli Attack leave the Islamic Republic of Iran Stronger?

Gaza Yet Stands


Juan Cole's New Ebook at Amazon. Click Here to Buy
__________________________

Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires



Click here to Buy Muhammad: Prophet of Peace amid the Clash of Empires.

The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam


Click here to Buy The Rubaiyat.
Sign up for our newsletter

Informed Comment © 2025 All Rights Reserved