Fardad Pirri

Iran internet blackout is longest nationwide shutdown on record: NetBlocks ctvnews.ca/world/mideast-…

🗓️ Exactly five weeks ago on Saturday 28 February, #Iran cut off access to the global internet. The measure remains in place, entering day 36 after 840 hours, isolating the general public as authorities explore ways to give chosen users access via a tiered whitelisting system.

Left - Apollo 17, 1972 Right - Artemis II, 2026 Two photographs taken by one of us, of all of us, over half a century apart. What's changed?

Liftoff. The Artemis II mission launched from @NASAKennedy at 6:35pm ET (2235 UTC), propelling four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. Artemis II will pave the way for future Moon landings, as well as the next giant leap — astronauts on Mars.

⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has entered day 32 with most users cut off from the outside world for over 744 hours. Extended digital isolation is bringing new challenges for Iranians, from expired domains and accounts to unpatched servers on a degrading national intranet.

Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi at CPAC USA 2026: "2026 marks the 250th birthday of the United States. It is my hope and my belief that history will also remember 2026 as the year of Iran's rebirth."

The Crown Prince received a massively favorable welcome at CPAC, where there was a large number of Persian Americans.  Worth keeping that in mind.  I believe he’s very popular among the people in Iran. jpost.com/middle-east/ir…

My story on Iran’s attempt to use a famed director to push its war narrative, and his son’s response: “Keep him out of your rhetoric.” nytimes.com/2026/03/27/wor…

⚠️ Update: #Iran's digital blackout has entered its 27th day after 624 hours of isolation from the global internet with connectivity levels at ~1%. Rights monitors, independent media and the public are sidelined as access is granted only to those on a state-approved whitelist.

The Return of the Iranian Nation! 🦁🌞 From Cyrus to Reza Shah, Iranians are reclaiming their nation. Explore the protests, philosophy, and patriotism behind Iran’s fight for freedom. ➡️ visegrad24.com/articles/the-r…

Nowruz is one of the most important Persian holidays and coincides with the vernal equinox and the first day of spring. In the days leading up to Nowruz, Chahārshanbe Sūrī (Fire Wednesday) is celebrated by jumping over bonfires, a ritual that marks the transition into the new year, casting off the past year’s hardships and welcoming light and health. Fire symbolizes purification and cleansing in Persian tradition, and is often vividly depicted in miniature painting, as in this scene. 📕 ‘The Fire Ordeal of Siyāvush,’ Folio 104v from the Shāhnāmah (‘Book of Kings’) of Firdawsī, attributed to Shiraz, Iran, copied for “Muḥammad Sharīf” by Muḥammad ‘Alī, in 1023/1614.

Today, we mark Nowruz, the start of a new year for Persian communities in Ontario and around the world. This year, many Iranians enter the new year with heavy hearts, while remaining optimistic for a free and democratic Iran. Nowruz remains a symbol of resilience, strength and hope for better days ahead. Nowruz Pirooz.

Happy Nowruz! 🪻

For 456 hours, our connection to the world is severed. While our skies roar with warplanes and explosions, our streets bustle for Nowruz. We are still here, preparing our Haft-Sin. Because that which stands proud and eternal through the endless cycles of history... is IRAN, is IRAN, is IRAN.

Exiled crown prince says he's ready to lead Iran's transition 'as soon as the Islamic Republic falls' trib.al/LZ65mW3

The Strait of Hormoz (Hormuz) gets its name from an ancient kingdom. Hormuz was a wealthy port city on the Persian mainland. In the 13th century, fleeing Mongol invaders, the city's ruler made a strategic decision to relocate the entire capital to a barren offshore island "New Hormuz." This small island kingdom grew incredibly wealthy as a fortified tollgate for merchants traveling between India, the Middle East, and East Africa. Since the island completely dominated the local shipping routes, sailors and merchants began referring to waterway as the Strait of Hormuz. The Portuguese conquered the island in 1507 to control the spice trade, adopted the name, establishing it permanently on the map.

I just spoke with President @EmmanuelMacron about the situation in the Middle East. We condemned Iran’s strikes against civilians and civilian infrastructure, and underscored the importance of opening secure access through the Strait of Hormuz. Canada supports efforts to safeguard international shipping and ensure freedom of navigation.

🇮🇷 This picture should be on the front page of every international newspaper tomorrow. #FreeIran‌

This brave Persian DJ stood in Tehran playing music in front of flames and bombs. While the sky burned and fear surrounded them, he chose music instead of silence. He chose courage instead of fear. To many it may look like just a DJ set. But to us, it is something much deeper. It is the sound of a people who refuse to break. Even under bombs, Persians still dance, still sing, still stand tall. Because we know freedom is worth every sacrifice. These are my brave compatriots. Their courage makes me proud to be Persian. We endure. We stand tall. And soon, Iran will be free. #FreeIran #Revolution_LionAndTheSun

⚠️ Update: #Iran's internet blackout has entered its tenth day with connectivity at 1% of ordinary levels after the 216th hour. As regional hostilities intensify, some 90 million Iranians are silenced and cut off from the global internet under a state-imposed shutdown.