Iran cut off from world as Supreme Leader warns protesters


Protesters gather as vehicles burn, amid evolving anti-government unrest, in Tehran, Iran, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video released on January 9, 2026. Social Media/via REUTERS

DUBAI, Jan 9 (Reuters) - Iran was largely cut ‌off from the outside world on Friday after authorities blacked out the internet to curb expanding protests, with phone calls not reaching ‌the country, flights cancelled and online Iranian news sites only intermittently updating.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused protesters of acting on ‌behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump, saying rioters were attacking public properties and warning that Tehran would not tolerate people acting as "mercenaries for foreigners".

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