Iran in Darkness: Internet Blackout, Hospital Raids, and 90 Million Silenced

USPA NEWS - Urgent Call: International Support for the People of Iran Under Severe Repression
Proposed headline for publication in USPA24 and German Daily News:
Urgent Call for International Support for the People of Iran — Total Blackout, Attacks on Hospitals, and the Hostage-Taking of 90 Million People

Dear Readers of USPA24 and German Daily News,

As the world enters January 2026, Iran is facing a profound humanitarian crisis that demands immediate global attention. What initially began as widespread protests against economic collapse — inflation exceeding 40–70 percent, a 50 percent devaluation of the national currency in 2025, and severe shortages — has now transformed into a nationwide uprising against the authoritarian rule of the Islamic Republic. These protests, now entering their third week, have spread across all 31 provinces, with millions of people taking to the streets in more than 200 cities, calling for freedom and an end to dictatorship. The authorities’ response, however, has been nothing short of brutal repression, plunging the country into darkness and isolation.

Widespread power outages in major cities such as Tehran have left hospitals and homes without electricity, cutting off access to essential services at critical moments. A nationwide internet blackout, ongoing for days at a time, has severed communication lines, preventing families from checking on their loved ones or sharing evidence of crimes. Telephone services have been disrupted, flights canceled, and the world has been cut off from the truth.

The death toll remains completely unclear due to this enforced silence. Human rights organizations estimate that between 28 and 192 people have been killed so far, including children, with thousands more injured or arrested. People are entirely cut off from one another; friends, families, and activists are left in the dark, unable to coordinate or call for help. In effect, 90 million Iranians have been taken hostage by their own government, trapped in a cycle of fear and repression where even basic human communication is weaponized against them.

The regime’s violence knows no limits. Security forces, including the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Basij, are using live ammunition, tear gas, and even foreign mercenaries from Hezbollah and Iraq to crush dissent. In a terrifying escalation, they have attacked hospitals filled with the dead and wounded, arresting protesters from their hospital beds and denying medical care to the injured. Eyewitness accounts describe bodies piling up in medical facilities in cities such as Tehran and Shiraz, while doctors risk their lives to treat victims amid regime assaults. This is not merely repression — it is a potential massacre unfolding in real time, concealed by a communications blackout to evade international scrutiny.

As a German or American reader, you may feel far removed from this turmoil, but your voice matters. This action costs you nothing — no money, no risk, just a few minutes to copy and send an email. Yet it can save countless lives. By urging international institutions to intervene, you amplify the voices of Iran’s youth, women, and children who are fighting for basic rights such as freedom of expression and economic dignity. Global pressure has worked before; history shows that international outrage can alter the course of similar crises. Your email could trigger investigations, sanctions, or protective measures that prevent further violence against innocent people. Imagine the impact: a single message from you could help stop an attack on a hospital or prevent another death. This is a simple act of solidarity, fully aligned with our shared values of human rights and democracy.

We urge you to act immediately and send emails to the organizations listed below. A ready-to-use email template is provided so you can copy, paste, and personalize it with your name and location. Please send it to the addresses provided to demand urgent intervention, independent fact-finding missions, and accountability for the crimes being committed.

Ready-to-Use Email Template

Subject:

Urgent: Protection of Civilians and Investigation of Human Rights Violations in Iran

Email Body (General & Universal Version):

Dear Sir or Madam,

I am writing as a concerned citizen to draw your immediate attention to the rapidly escalating humanitarian and human rights crisis in Iran.

Since late December 2025, widespread protests driven by economic hardship and demands for basic rights have been met with severe and disproportionate violence. Credible reports indicate a nationwide internet shutdown, recurring power outages, and major disruptions to communication networks. These measures have effectively isolated the population, preventing civilians from accessing information, contacting loved ones, or seeking assistance.

As a result of this enforced blackout, the true number of those killed, injured, or detained remains unknown. Independent estimates suggest that dozens to possibly hundreds of people have been killed by security forces using live ammunition, while thousands have been arbitrarily arrested. Particularly alarming are reports of attacks on hospitals and medical facilities, where injured protesters were denied treatment or detained directly from hospital beds. Such actions represent serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian standards.

The current situation carries a real and immediate risk of further escalation, potentially resulting in large-scale loss of civilian life. Women, children, and young people appear to be among the most affected.

Request

I respectfully urge all relevant actors to treat this situation with the highest level of urgency and to take appropriate steps to:
• Ensure independent investigation of reported killings, arbitrary detentions, and attacks on medical facilities
• Condemn and seek the immediate lifting of communication shutdowns, including internet restrictions
• Support mechanisms that protect civilians and uphold accountability under international law
• Closely monitor developments to prevent further human rights violations

The international community cannot remain silent while an entire population is cut off from the world and exposed to unchecked violence. Timely and decisive action can help protect lives and uphold fundamental human dignity.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Email Address]
[Your City and Country]

Email Addresses to Send To

(Copy and paste into the “To” field – group sending is strongly recommended)

United Nations – Human Rights & International Bodies

InfoDesk@ohchr.org
CP@ohchr.org
urgent-action@ohchr.org
srhumanrightsdefenders@ohchr.org
inquiries@un.org

International Human Rights Organizations

contactus@amnesty.org
aimember@aiusa.org
info@amnesty.de

nachricht@hrw.org
hrwpress@hrw.org

secretariat@omct.org
contact@fidh.org
info@article19.org

Germany – Official Institutions

menschenrechtsausschuss@bundestag.de
info@institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de

Optional – Add These in CC or BCC for Wider Impact

info@ishr.ch
office@odihr.pl
PublicAffairs@odihr.pl


Clean Version (Single Line – For One-Click Group Sending)

InfoDesk@ohchr.org, CP@ohchr.org, urgent-action@ohchr.org, srhumanrightsdefenders@ohchr.org, inquiries@un.org, contactus@amnesty.org, aimember@aiusa.org, info@amnesty.de, nachricht@hrw.org, hrwpress@hrw.org, secretariat@omct.org, contact@fidh.org, info@article19.org, menschenrechtsausschuss@bundestag.de, info@institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de

Important Note

It is strongly recommended to send this email simultaneously to multiple recipients (group sending).
Each individual message increases political and international pressure and can help protect lives.