The internet was almost completely shut down in Iran, an internet-watchdog group said Thursday, amid widespread protests and a call from the son of the country’s former shah to “take to the streets.”

Internet connectivity dropped abruptly to 5% from close to 100% earlier in the day, according to Netblocks, the watchdog group. The shutdown was the worst to hit Iran since its 12-day war with Israel in June, when authorities said they were trying to stop Israel from spying on it. Iran shut down online access during a wave of protests in 2022.

The shutdown occurred around the same time as a call for protests from Reza Pahlavi, the heir to the last dynasty to rule Iran until it was toppled by the Islamic revolution in 1979. Protests began in Tehran last month over anger at Iran’s economic crisis.

FILE PHOTO: People walk past a display sign at a currency exchange bureau as the value of the Iranian rial drops, in Tehran, Iran, December 20, 2025. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY/File Photo

“Take to the streets and, as a united front, shout your demands,” said Pahlavi, son of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last shah of Iran. “I warn the Islamic Republic, its leader, and the IRGC that the world and [President Trump] are closely watching you. Suppression of the people won’t go unanswered.”

Trump said in an interview Thursday with “The Hugh Hewitt Show” that if “Iran starts killing people” they will be “hit very hard.”

The protests, now in their second week, have continued across the country. On Thursday, strikes spread to the country’s oil sector. The largest oil trade union in Kangan, home to a large refining and petrochemical complex, said its members at two refineries went on strike Thursday, joining with antigovernment protesters. The union said a large number of members were transferred to a local hospital in critical condition after security forces fired at them. Police can be seen firing at protesters in video footage circulated on social media and verified by Storyful, which is owned by News Corp, the parent company of The Wall Street Journal.

Disruptions at oil facilities could worsen economic difficulties in Iran because energy exports remain the biggest source of revenue. Iran’s oil ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment on whether the strikes had affected production.

On Thursday, shopkeepers went on strike in more than 30 cities across Kurdish-dominated areas in west and south Iran, according to Hengaw Organization for Human Rights, an Iranian rights group.

Central to Iran’s economic problems are tight international sanctions. Last year, Tehran and Washington engaged in talks over Iran’s nuclear program that could have led to relief, but Iran’s leaders refused to budge on a demand that they quit enriching uranium.

Iran’s problems worsened in the aftermath of a disastrous war with Israel in June. The currency has lost some 60% of its value against the dollar since the summer, driving inflation to new highs.

The government has acknowledged the protesters’ economic complaints but also has used its security forces in hopes of keeping the demonstrations under control. At least 2,076 people have been arrested and at least 36 killed in unrest that has now spread to 92 cities, according to the most recent tally from the group Human Rights Activists in Iran.