BBC Verify Live: Unveiling the Truth Behind Iran's Protests Amidst a 100-Hour Internet Blackout
Live Reporting
Edited by Loulla-Mae Eleftheriou-Smith
The Dark Underbelly of Iran's Crackdown
As anti-government protests have gripped major cities and towns across Iran, BBC Verify has uncovered disturbing footage from a Tehran mortuary, revealing scores of bodies. These images may hold the key to understanding the true extent of the crisis within Iran.
The Government's Counter-Move
Yesterday, Iran organized pro-establishment rallies across the country, drawing thousands of participants. BBC Persian has received text messages inviting citizens to join these events. State TV channels hailed the "high turnout" at the state-organized rallies, with the Fars news agency, close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), claiming that around three million people participated in the march in Tehran. However, this figure has been questioned by the foreign-based Iranian fact-checking platform Factnameh, which deemed it implausibly exaggerated, suggesting the actual number was significantly lower.
Online users have also raised concerns about photos shared by state TV and pro-government agencies, claiming they are old and date back to the funeral of Qasem Soleimani, an Iranian commander assassinated by the US in January 2020. Reverse search confirms the photos are recent, matching aerial videos of yesterday's rally broadcast by state TV.
The Internet Conundrum
Verifying material from Iran has become increasingly challenging due to a total internet blackout imposed by the government, hindering our ability to grasp the full scale of events. The shutdown has made it difficult to pinpoint the exact timing of protest footage, as Iranians struggle to share videos and images in real-time. This delay often results in videos being shared days after they were recorded, when individuals find alternative ways to connect to the internet.
The monitoring service Netblocks has been tracking the lack of connectivity, providing valuable insights into the impact of this blackout.
Today's Focus
At BBC Verify Live, we're closely monitoring videos that have emerged, including a clip showing hundreds of protesters clashing with security forces in the north-western city of Urmia. We're also analyzing footage of pro-government rallies covered by state media. Additionally, our team will be fact-checking claims and providing context around the numbers from the Scottish government's Budget, involving SNP finance minister Shona Robison, and incidents from the US state of Minnesota involving ICE agents and the fatal shooting of Renee Good.
