Internet blackout and protests in IranCEFR A1
21 Feb 2026
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Parastoo Maleki, Unsplash
Level A1 – BeginnerCEFR A1
1 min
60 words
- Protests start in Iran after strikes in a market.
- The government turns off the internet.
- Phones and landlines stop working for many people.
- People cannot send videos or messages.
- When the internet returns, many videos appear.
- Reports say security forces used strong violence.
- Many people are taken and held in crowded places.
- The shutdown changes who speaks for Iranians abroad.
Difficult words
- protest — a public action where people show disagreementProtests
- strike — workers stop work to demand changestrikes
- government — group that leads and manages a country
- internet — global computer network for information and messages
- violence — use of physical force that hurts people
- shutdown — time when services stop working or open
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever seen a protest?
- Do you use the internet to send messages or videos?
- Do you use a phone or a landline at home?
