Checkpoints and slow internet: citizens report from 14 Iranian cities

Citizens in at least 14 Iranian cities, from Tehran and Mashhad to Dezful and Astara, reported in messages to independent Persian-language media that their cities have become more securitised in recent days and the internet weaker than before. Basij checkpoints, armed forces deployed in squares and newly installed surveillance cameras are among the reports; these reports have not yet been confirmed by a second independent source.

A resident of Dezful said the city centre, especially Shariati Street, was full of forces with agents posted at every intersection; he attributed this to the regime's fear of protests ahead of the anniversary of the November 2019 uprising. In Tehran, a citizen said Basij forces set up a checkpoint on Khavaran Street from 18:00 on Thursday, 22 October, and treated people arbitrarily.

Armed forces in squares and cameras in neighbourhoods

According to citizens' reports, the area around Mellat Park in Mashhad was full of armed Basij forces. In Isfahan, agents were seen on alert at Darvazeh Tehran, Darvazeh Shiraz and the main squares, and in Golpayegan security vehicles and motorcyclists sometimes patrolled around Valiasr Square in columns of five or six. Citizens in Hamadan spoke of vehicles being searched by special unit forces, and in Borujerd of a large deployment of security forces. In Tehran and Karaj, police and security patrols were also reported to be more frequent than in previous weeks.

A citizen in Astara said security cameras are being installed in the city's squares and neighbourhoods, and in Sadeghieh in Tehran an increase in surveillance cameras was also reported; such cameras have previously been used to identify protesters.

Slow internet and VPNs failing

Citizens in Semnan, Shiraz, Tabriz, Kerman and Tonekabon reported a sharp drop in internet speed and VPNs failing, even paid ones. One said the internet had been weak from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. for five days. The Islamic Republic previously shut down international internet nationwide for 88 days, and Iran fell to the bottom of Freedom House's latest internet freedom ranking.

These reports come amid a wave of heavy sentences against detainees of the Dey uprising, a trend that shows the regime has staked its survival on intimidation.

Citizens in 14 cities say the Islamic Republic has militarised the streets and slowed the internet ahead of the November 2019 anniversary.