Anti-regime hackers target Iranian state TV, broadcast messages in support of protests and Crown Prince Pahlavi

Hackers disrupted the regular broadcast by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) on Sunday, displaying videos of the protests and even a message from Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi. 

According to reporting by opposition-linked Iran International, several television channels that broadcast via the Badr or Arabsat satellites were hacked for several minutes on Sunday, Jan. 18, airing messages in support of the “Iranian National Revolution.” 

Videos posted by Iran International showed that clips of the protests and anti-regime messages were displayed on the Islamic Republic of Iran television channels for a few minutes, showing scenes of protest rallies, protest graffiti, including the slogan “Javid Shah,” [Long live the Shah], as well as a message from Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi addressed to the military of Iran, calling it to stand with the people. 

#BREAKING Several Iranian state TV channels carried on the Badr satellite were hacked on Sunday, broadcasting footage of protests along with calls by Iran’s exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi for people to join demonstrations and for military forces to side with protesters.

Iran’s… pic.twitter.com/zpQLC6krd2

— Iran International English (@IranIntl_En) January 18, 2026

“I have a special message for the military. You are the national army of Iran, not the Islamic Republic army,” Pahlavi said in the hacked broadcast. “You have a duty to protect your own lives. You don’t have much time left. Join the people as soon as possible.” 

The regime-aligned Far news agency later released a statement acknowledging that the broadcast signal in “some areas of the country was momentarily disrupted by an unknown source.” 

🔴BREAKING:

Multiple islamic regime IRIB TV stations have been hacked by the opposition.

Millions of Iranian citizens inside Iran will now see video messages from the Shah, which the regime tried to prevent from reaching them.

WELL DONE.

pic.twitter.com/Au583vLtaf

— 𝐍𝐢𝐨𝐡 𝐁𝐞𝐫𝐠 ✡︎ 🇮🇷 (@NiohBerg) January 18, 2026

The media account of Pahlavi acknowledged the hack, but did not claim responsibility for the disruption in the normal broadcast.

Video shared by Iran International showed thousands of people chanting slogans such as "Give the order, Prince; Iran is ready," in response to Pahlavi's call to chant on the evening of Saturday and Sunday. 

According to reports on social media, the IRIB broadcast was interrupted shortly before 9:30 p.m. Tehran time, with the interruption lasting around 10 minutes. 

In some of the messages, citizens were encouraged to continue protesting in the streets and the military and police forces were asked to join the people. 

“This is a message to the army and security forces,” one graphic read. “Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran.” 

Similar hacks of IRIB have been recorded in the past, also during protest movements. In June 2025, a live broadcast of the Iranian Broadcasting Corporation’s (IRCC) news was hacked, with messages calling for street protests, and images of the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement protests broadcast for several minutes. 

Earlier in 2025, cyberattacks targeting the Central Bank, along with more than 20 banks, as well as regime-affiliated institutions, were reported by Iranian and international media. The attacks led to widespread disruption of public services in some areas. 

The hacking of the Islamic Republic's official television channels occurred against the background of a government-initiated internet shutdown inside Iran. Internet service has been partially restored; however, reports indicate the Iranian government is still heavily restricting access in many parts of the country. 

The Iranian government initially denied the killing of protesters and even attributed many of the deaths to "terrorists" or even the protesters themselves. Meanwhile, a report in the Sunday Times cited a network of Iranian doctors who put the death toll at around 16,500 people, including children and women. 

On Saturday, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that any military operation targeting Supreme Leader Khamenei would be seen as a declaration of “all-out war” against Iran.

In a post on 𝕏, Pezeshkian warned, “Any aggression against the Supreme Leader of our country is tantamount to all-out war against the Iranian nation.”