Chicago Residents Lament as Iran's Internet Blackout Continues Amid Widespread Protests
Nassim Abdi, a resident of Munster, Indiana, has been trying to get in touch with her parents and extended family in Iran for days, but the internet blackout imposed by the Iranian government has made it impossible. The 30-year-old chief executive of Storybolt, a learning platform used by universities and businesses, is worried about the rising death toll in the protests, which activists claim have already claimed over 2,500 lives.
"It's so brutal what's happening," Abdi said. "The internet blackout and digital blackout are suffocating us." The Iranian government has eased some restrictions on its people, allowing them to make phone calls abroad for the first time since the crackdown began, but it remains unclear if the internet will be restored anytime soon.
Abdi, who is against war, hopes that the US can intervene without resorting to violence. "There are ways [Americans] can do it without killing civilians," she said. Her concerns echo those of other Chicago residents, including arts entrepreneur Nariman Safavi, who has been unable to contact his friends and colleagues in Iran due to the blackout.
"If anything, it strengthens the hands of the hardliners inside Iran who want to do further crackdowns," Safavi said. "They want to basically accuse anyone that they jail or kill of being collaborators with the outside forces." Safavi believes that change in Iran must come from within and that external intervention would be counterproductive.
The US government, under President Donald Trump, is weighing its options on whether to intervene militarily in the conflict. Trump has warned that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," the US will respond. However, not everyone agrees that military action is necessary or wise.
Ahmad Sadri, a professor of Islamic World Studies and sociology at Lake Forest College, argues that foreign intervention has never created a good outcome in Iran's history. "There really is not much Trump can do to help Iranians," he said. "Iranians are suspicious of the intentions of Americans. They will topple this regime in due time, and they don't need any external force."
The blackout has made it impossible for Safavi to work with his Iranian colleagues on cultural diplomacy projects and dialog-through-art events. "It's a very worrying situation," he said.
As the US weighs its options, Abdi and other Chicago residents are left to wonder when the internet will be restored and if their loved ones in Iran will be safe.
Nassim Abdi, a resident of Munster, Indiana, has been trying to get in touch with her parents and extended family in Iran for days, but the internet blackout imposed by the Iranian government has made it impossible. The 30-year-old chief executive of Storybolt, a learning platform used by universities and businesses, is worried about the rising death toll in the protests, which activists claim have already claimed over 2,500 lives.
"It's so brutal what's happening," Abdi said. "The internet blackout and digital blackout are suffocating us." The Iranian government has eased some restrictions on its people, allowing them to make phone calls abroad for the first time since the crackdown began, but it remains unclear if the internet will be restored anytime soon.
Abdi, who is against war, hopes that the US can intervene without resorting to violence. "There are ways [Americans] can do it without killing civilians," she said. Her concerns echo those of other Chicago residents, including arts entrepreneur Nariman Safavi, who has been unable to contact his friends and colleagues in Iran due to the blackout.
"If anything, it strengthens the hands of the hardliners inside Iran who want to do further crackdowns," Safavi said. "They want to basically accuse anyone that they jail or kill of being collaborators with the outside forces." Safavi believes that change in Iran must come from within and that external intervention would be counterproductive.
The US government, under President Donald Trump, is weighing its options on whether to intervene militarily in the conflict. Trump has warned that if Tehran "violently kills peaceful protesters," the US will respond. However, not everyone agrees that military action is necessary or wise.
Ahmad Sadri, a professor of Islamic World Studies and sociology at Lake Forest College, argues that foreign intervention has never created a good outcome in Iran's history. "There really is not much Trump can do to help Iranians," he said. "Iranians are suspicious of the intentions of Americans. They will topple this regime in due time, and they don't need any external force."
The blackout has made it impossible for Safavi to work with his Iranian colleagues on cultural diplomacy projects and dialog-through-art events. "It's a very worrying situation," he said.
As the US weighs its options, Abdi and other Chicago residents are left to wonder when the internet will be restored and if their loved ones in Iran will be safe.
. A 2,500 death toll is insane. The internet blackout is like a digital prison, cutting off people from their families, friends, and even work 
. I think the US should try to help without taking sides, you know? It's not just about saving lives, but also about supporting democracy and human rights 
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. It could lead to more bloodshed and suffering. What we need is a peaceful resolution that addresses the root causes of the protests 
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. I guess that's what happens when you try to impose your will on someone else without understanding their culture and history 
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. What are his sources for this claim about foreign intervention never working out? Can we get some facts on the ground before making any judgments? 
Its like they're saying, "We know you want change, but we'll keep our finger on the pulse... of control". Control is such a strong word when it comes to human rights and freedom of expression.
the thing is, I'm not sure if intervention is even possible or necessary right now. Ahmad Sadri makes some good points about foreign interference never being a success story 
but at the same time, 2,500 lives lost... it's just heartbreaking 
I don't know what to think anymore 
maybe we need to just wait and see how things play out before making any big decisions? 
just imagine trying to reach your family on the other side of the world with no internet? it's so frustrating and helpless at the same time... i'm all for a peaceful resolution to this situation, but if that's not possible then maybe some sort of economic sanctions would be better than military intervention... 
Like, what's the plan here? 
Abdi's all about hoping for a non-violent US intervention, but then Sadri says that history shows foreign intervention is never good... 
it's not just about the tech stuff, it's about human lives and loved ones being torn apart by this crisis 
This is getting crazy. Can't believe they're still blacking out the whole internet over there 
. Like what's next? A total shutdown of all forms of communication? It's so frustrating for people like Nassim who are just trying to stay in touch with their family and friends back home 
. I mean, wouldn't you want your citizens to be able to communicate and express themselves freely? 
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. And let's be real, it's not going to help matters if they start talking about military intervention 
We should be doing more to support them, not just sitting around waiting for the internet to come back online.
i just hope the iranian government comes back online soon & things calm down ASAP
Why can't they just get back online and connect with each other? It feels like we're being kept in the dark about what's going on... Abdi is right, though - it is brutal what's happening to those protesters. Can't we find another way to help them out that doesn't involve violence or more internet blackouts? 
Not saying we should go in guns blazing or anything, but maybe just some diplomacy & stuff could help resolve this situation... idk, maybe I'm just a troll 
. Anyway, gotta feel for Abdi & Safavi and all the other ppl affected by this internet blackout 
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. I hope he takes a step back and lets the Iranians figure out their own path.