Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite broadcasts to show support for the exiled crown prince and urge security forces not to harm civilians. The hacking occurred amidst a government crackdown on nationwide protests, with activists reporting over 4,000 deaths. U.S.-Iran tensions escalated as President Trump warned against violent suppression of protests and mass executions in Iran. An American aircraft carrier shifted course towards the Middle East from the South China Sea.
The broadcast featured exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi calling on security forces to stand with the people. Iranian authorities acknowledged a signal disruption but did not comment on the content aired. The World Economic Forum revoked Iran’s Foreign Minister’s speaking invitation due to the violent crackdown.
Tracking data revealed U.S. military vessels, including the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, moving towards the Strait of Malacca, potentially heading to the Middle East. Reports suggested the aircraft carrier group was en route to the region. The death toll from the unrest surpassed 4,000, with concerns rising over the fate of thousands detained in Iran. Iranian officials blamed the U.S. for the protests, while promising punishment for perpetrators and leniency for others involved.
