January 9, 2026
Wi-Fight the Power
Iran vows regime will "not back down" as web blackout continues
Windows roar at 8 p.m., web stays dark, comment wars light up
TLDR: Iran’s rulers promised they won’t back down as protests grew despite a nationwide internet blackout. In the comments, people clashed over whether this is an organic uprising or foreign-fueled, with heated monarchy vs. republic debates and memes mocking the blackout keeping the drama blazing.
With Iran’s internet mostly dark — NetBlocks says the blackout is still rolling — the only thing louder than window chants at 8 p.m. is the comment section. When exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged Iranians to shout “Death to the dictator,” the community split: is this a homegrown uprising or a throwback to a “CIA color revolution”? One user went full outrage, calling the regime “medieval” and citing executions, while another shrugged off the origin story: if freedom comes, who cares who lit the fuse.
Ayatollah Khamenei’s defiant TV moment — vowing to “not back down” while a crowd yelled “Death to America” — poured gasoline on the thread. Conspiracy radars pinged with claims a top official’s family fled to Beirut, and hot takes escalated into geopolitical beef: some blamed Iran for “most” Middle East chaos, while skeptics snarked that the CIA isn’t even good at revolutions anymore.
Meanwhile, humor broke through the blackout: “Wi-Fight the Power” memes, jokes about a revolution by window-shout, and quips that the blackout created “analog TikTok” as neighbors became the feed. Videos (hard to verify) showed chants of “Pahlavi will return,” fueling monarchy-vs-republic flame wars. Bottom line: Iran’s streets are loud, but the comments are louder — and every side is convinced history is happening in real time.
Key Points
- •Iran’s protests intensified after 12 days, with about 40 reported deaths and over 2,000 detentions before a major escalation Thursday night.
- •A nationwide internet and phone service blackout hindered information flow; NetBlocks reported the blackout continued Friday morning.
- •Ayatollah Ali Khamenei appeared on state TV, accused President Trump of inspiring the protests, and vowed the regime would not back down.
- •Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi urged coordinated 8 p.m. chants, called on European leaders and President Trump to help restore communications, and appealed directly to Trump.
- •Human Rights Activists News Agency reported at least 42 killed and more than 2,270 detained as of Thursday; videos showed anti-regime slogans and some pro-monarchy chants.