Hackers breached Iranian TV to urge people to take to the streets in protest of the country’s government, according to reports
| Published June 18, 2025
Several Iranian state television channels were hijacked this week in a coordinated cyberattack that broadcast anti-regime slogans and urged citizens to rise up against the government. The hack featured bold messages like “Death to Khamenei” and “Take to the streets,” directly calling on the Iranian public to resist the Islamic Republic’s rule. The timing of the attack was especially provocative, as it came just hours after Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei issued a stark warning of “all-out war” against the United States in response to ongoing hostilities involving Israel.
ساعتی پیش بنگاه دروغپراکنی و پروپاگندای رژیم، صدا و سیمای بدنام رژیم، هک شد.
پس از قطع برنامههای عادی رژیم، پیامی رو به ملت ایران منتشر شد و در آن ایرانیان به خیزش برای براندازی رژیم فراخوانده شدند.#ایران_را_پس_میگیریم pic.twitter.com/F5hVBT2ocx
— Iran Novin Party | صفحه رسمی حزب ایران نوین (@IranNovinParty) June 18, 2025
The videos aired during the cyber breach included montages of Iranian protests and revolutionary music. Some segments showed young Iranians burning pictures of top regime figures, with text overlays claiming that the country had reached a breaking point.
According to reports, the hackers temporarily seized control of at least four major channels. Though Iranian officials quickly shut down the unauthorized transmissions, screenshots and clips circulated widely on social media platforms.
Meanwhile, other reports highlights how U.S. businesses have been put on high alert, with federal cybersecurity agencies warning of potential Iranian retaliation through cyberattacks. Experts believe Iran may now view cyberspace as a central battleground to counter perceived Western aggression and domestic destabilization efforts.
Images sh#IranTVHack, #CyberWar, #IranUprising, #KhameneiThreat, #MiddleEastCrisis, #IranProtests2025owed of people cutting off their hair believed to be in response to the killing of Mahsa Amini
US mobilises aircraft as the situation in the Middle East escalates
A fire blazes in the oil depots of Shahran, northwest of Tehran, on June 15
Implications
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Crack in State Media Control
– The hack shows that even the regime’s most tightly controlled platforms are vulnerable, undermining the government’s propaganda apparatus. -
Boost to Anti-Regime Movements
– Public calls to protest aired nationwide may embolden dissenters and fuel unrest across cities already simmering with discontent. -
Cybersecurity Vulnerabilities in Iran
– The breach exposes serious gaps in Iran’s cybersecurity infrastructure, which could be exploited further by domestic or foreign actors. -
Psychological Blow to the Regime
– Seeing anti-Khamenei slogans on state TV delivers a morale hit to regime loyalists and a symbolic victory to opposition forces. -
Escalation of Cyber Conflict
– As U.S. businesses are warned of potential Iranian cyberattacks, a cycle of digital retaliation could escalate tensions globally. -
Potential for Broader Unrest
– If protest calls gain traction, the regime may face a renewed wave of demonstrations, reminiscent of the 2009 Green Movement or the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. -
Justification for Regime Crackdowns
– The Iranian government may use the incident to justify tighter surveillance, media restrictions, and mass arrests under the guise of national security.
Overall Takeaway
The Iranian regime is facing a cyber and psychological battle on top of growing military and political crises. The hacking of its national broadcasts is not just a technical embarrassment—it’s a visible crack in its perceived invincibility. The timing, amid threats of war with the U.S. and unrest at home, suggests that the Islamic Republic is now vulnerable on multiple fronts.
SOURCES: DAILYMAIL ONLINE – Hackers ‘breach Iranian TV’ as country’s Supreme Leader threatens the US with an ‘all-out’ war
THE GATEWAY PUNDIT – Report: Hackers Breach Several Iranian TV Channels, Call on Citizens to Take to the Streets
THE NEW YORK POST – US businesses warned to brace for Iranian cyberattacks as war with Israel escalates
