Iran state TV hacked and airs message from exiled crown prince urging protests to continue

Published January 18, 2026 8:02pm ET



Iranian state TV was hacked on Sunday, leading to multiple channels airing a message from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi urging protesters to continue to take to the streets after the regime’s violent crackdown appeared to put an end to the three-week demonstrations.

The message from Pahlavi, who has emerged as the leader of an opposition movement to the Iranian regime during the protests, called on Iranians to join the demonstrations and for security forces to side with the protesters. The apparent cyberattack was reposted by Pahlavi’s communications office, which described his message as a “call to action.”

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