For the past four days, Iran has been cut off from the rest of the world with the internet down for approximately 100 hours. Meanwhile, protests have reportedly intensified nationwide. On Sunday, Trump warned that the US might intervene if security forces fire upon protestors.
Despite American warnings, at least 650 protestors have died since the demonstrations began on December 28, according to a human rights organization. This raises a significant question: Is Iran the next target for the US President?
As Iran tightens internet access and protests continue, India Today, utilizing open-source data and flight tracking, is uncovering signs of unrest on the ground and increasing US activity in the Middle East amid Washington's warnings.
The decrease in protest activities may be partially or entirely due to the nationwide internet shutdown, according to
source: Institute for the Study of War and AEI's Critical Threats Project
Source: aajtak
Protests in Iran have reached their 16th day. Before the internet shutdown on January 8, protests had spread to 156 different incidents across 27 provinces. By January 12, due to the internet shutdown, the recorded protest sites had reduced to just 14 in six provinces.
The International Conflict Monitoring Group, Institute for the Study of War, states, "Many signs suggest protests continue in areas where no activity was recorded on January 12."
India Today has utilized flight tracking data from Flightradar24 to track increased operational activity of US military at Al Udeid Air Base, as media reports suggest.
Source: aajtak
This air base, located approximately 35 kilometers southwest of Doha, Qatar's capital, hosts over 10,000 American troops. It is one of the largest US military bases in the region, with a 4,500-meter runway capable of landing large military aircraft like B-52 strategic bombers and transport planes.
Source: aajtak
Video shared by Iranian state media and geolocated by India Today shows fire at Al-Rasul Mosque in Tehran's Saadat Abad area. CCTV footage reveals protestors vandalizing Tehran's Abu Zar Mosque, followed by setting it on fire, according to state media. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated on Monday that since the protests began, 53 mosques and 180 ambulances have been set aflame.
Iran's religious rulers have faced major protests before. However, both protestors and the government face an additional threat this time: Trump's warning. Although the Islamic regime has attempted to ease tensions with the US, officials told The Wall Street Journal on January 12 that Trump is considering diplomacy and military strikes, currently favoring military action against Iran.
Iran has previously refused discussions with the US regarding its uranium enrichment capacity, support for the axis of resistance, and development of its ballistic missile program. Yet, the June 2025 attacks by Israel and the US devastated the country's economy and weakened its nuclear program.
Source: aajtak
The following day, a retaliatory attack took place at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar. US attacks on Iran's nuclear sites at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan highlight Iran's limited air defense capabilities.
Source: aajtak
Overall, the United States maintains a significant military presence in the Middle East, with numerous naval assets and permanent and temporary bases spread across at least 19 locations in the region.
Trump is still considering whether the US should intervene in Iran. The country is witnessing the most violent anti-government protests and riots in years. Meanwhile, in an effort to put pressure on Tehran, Trump is employing one of his favored tactics: tariffs.
Trump posted on Truth Social, "Effective immediately, any country doing business with the Islamic Republic of Iran will face a 25% tariff on all business conducted with the United States of America."
