Iran increases checkpoints and internet restrictions to prevent protests

Iran authorities have intensified security measures across Tehran to prevent anti-government protests during the ongoing conflict. Residents told the BBC that officials have set up several checkpoints across the city, restricted internet access and sent warning messages to discourage public demonstrations.

People living in the capital say security forces now stop and search vehicles at multiple locations, including inside road tunnels and beneath pedestrian bridges. Authorities reportedly moved some checkpoints to these locations after drone attacks targeted earlier checkpoints in open streets.

Iran tightens security to stop protests as war tensions rise

According to Iran’s hardline news agency Fars, Israeli strikes hit four checkpoints in Tehran on 11 March, killing around ten members of the security forces. The attacks increased security fears and prompted authorities to tighten control in the capital. Some residents say they try to avoid attracting attention while passing checkpoints. One man explained that he praises the officers’ work during searches to avoid suspicion. Another resident said she stopped wearing bright clothes because she fears that security patrols might question her.

The government has also limited internet access nationwide, making communication inside and outside the country difficult. The restrictions have disrupted coordination among activists, as protesters usually rely on encrypted messaging apps to organise demonstrations. Despite the blackout, some tech-savvy residents are using devices from SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service to bypass restrictions and share internet access with others. However, authorities treat the use of such devices as a crime and can impose prison sentences of up to two years.

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Police recently arrested a man in Fars Province for allegedly selling “unfiltered” internet through Starlink connections. Officials confiscated equipment from his hideout and accused him of building a network that operated across several provinces. Meanwhile, government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani said authorities are working to restore internet services selectively, particularly for those who can “broadcast the country’s voice to the world.”

Police chief Ahmad Reza Radan stated that authorities would no longer treat such individuals as protesters but as enemies acting on behalf of foreign forces. The government has also organised pro-establishment rallies to show public support. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently urged Iranian citizens to challenge the government but later admitted that it remains uncertain whether public pressure could bring down the regime.

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