The Iranian regime has reportedly broadcast at least 97 coerced confessions from detained protesters on state television over a two-week period, according to human rights organizations. These videos feature handcuffed detainees expressing remorse for their actions since protests began on December 28, accompanied by ominous music and edited clips depicting attacks on security forces, as reported by The Associated Press and the Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA).

Rights groups assert that these confession videos are obtained under duress, with detainees coerced into appearing on camera under threats of torture and execution. Ali Safavi, a senior official with the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI), criticized the regime's tactics, stating that the forced confessions are intended to justify the violent suppression of protests, which have reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 3,000 individuals. NCRI President-elect Maryam Rajavi described the situation as constituting crimes against humanity.

Despite the regime's efforts to demoralize the population through these broadcasts, Safavi contends that such measures will not deter the resolve of the protesters, who are driven by widespread public anger over political repression, economic collapse, and alleged abuses by security forces. The protests have continued even in the face of mass arrests and lethal force.

The HRANA has highlighted that forced confessions in Iran often follow psychological or physical torture and can lead to severe consequences, including death sentences. The scale of the current broadcast campaign is unprecedented, coinciding with an extensive internet shutdown that has isolated the public from independent information sources. According to NetBlocks, Iran's internet blackout has exceeded 144 consecutive hours, marking one of the longest disruptions recorded. This shutdown has been described as a means for the state to conceal alleged crimes while maintaining control over the narrative through state media.

NetBlocks' director of research, Isik Mater, noted that the blackout enhances the impact of state propaganda, as the public is cut off from external information while the regime continues to operate its state television via satellite. Mater compared Iran's information strategy to that of North Korea, where citizens have limited access to the global internet and are subjected to constant state propaganda.

In response to international criticism, Gholamhossein Darzi, Iran’s deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, denied allegations that Iranian security forces have killed protesters, characterizing these claims as "fabricated narratives" propagated by the United States and its allies. He asserted that Iranian security forces were engaged in confrontations with armed groups he described as "ISIS-style terrorist cells" and violent separatists, which he claimed were funded and armed by foreign entities, including Israel.

Darzi also dismissed accusations regarding internet restrictions, stating that these measures were temporary and necessary to counter cyberattacks and protect national infrastructure. He emphasized that Tehran does not seek escalation but warned that any act of aggression would be met with a "decisive, proportionate and lawful response" under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Exiled Iranian activist Masih Alinejad criticized the Iranian regime's actions, likening its behavior to that of ISIS and calling for international support for Iranian protesters. This call came amid a bipartisan letter from U.S. lawmakers urging the Trump administration to assist protesters in Iran, particularly in light of the intensified internet blackout and security crackdown.

The protests, initially sparked by rising inflation, received a measured response from the government. However, following a surge in demonstrations on January 8 and a subsequent speech by the Supreme Leader, the government shifted its narrative, framing the unrest as a foreign-backed security threat requiring a forceful response. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi noted that protests had been peaceful until armed elements allegedly linked to Israel and the United States turned them violent.

The judiciary echoed this narrative, with Chief Justice Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei calling for the immediate trial of detainees and announcing plans to publicly televise these trials to expose alleged foreign ties. The rhetoric escalated further when Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei labeled protesters as "rioters under foreign influence" and urged security forces to confront them sternly.

While some civilian officials attempted to adopt a more conciliatory tone, they did not challenge the overarching narrative. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani condemned violence in general terms, and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf acknowledged the legitimacy of protests while accusing demonstrators of seeking violence. Military commanders characterized the unrest as a "conspiracy" orchestrated by foreign entities, praising domestic enforcement forces for their role in controlling the protests.

An open petition signed by over 3,400 U.S.-based Iranian technology professionals called for the end of the Islamic Republic and urged democratic countries to support Iranian protesters. The petition included signatories from major technology companies and institutions and endorsed Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s exiled prince, as a potential unifying figure for opposition forces. In a related development, senior IRGC general Mohsen Rezaei issued a direct threat against U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that Iran would not accept a ceasefire if attacked, emphasizing the need for restraint from the U.S. to ensure regional safety.