**HACKERS DISRUPT IRANIAN STATE TV TO AIR SUPPORT FOR EXILED PRINCE**

The Iranian state television's satellite transmissions were disrupted over the weekend, allowing hackers to broadcast images and messages in support of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran's last king. The unusual hack, which aired across multiple channels, showed footage of Pahlavi calling for security forces to disarm and lay down their arms.

The images, which were aired on Sunday, included two clips of Pahlavi, who had declared himself shah of Iran in 1980 after his father's death. The broadcast also featured footage of security forces in what appeared to be Iranian police uniforms, as well as civilians in what was described as a "message to the army and security forces."

"This is a message to the army and security forces," one graphic read. "Don't point your weapons at the people. Join the nation for the freedom of Iran."

The hack comes amid widespread protests across Iran, which began on December 28 after the country's economy collapsed. According to human rights groups, at least 4,029 people have been killed in the crackdown by state authorities. However, an Iranian official has claimed that as many as 5,000 people have died, with most of the deaths occurring in Kurdish areas.

The hacking incident is not the first time that Iranian airwaves have been disrupted. In 1986, a miniaturized television transmitter was used to broadcast a message from Pahlavi's allies, while in 2022, multiple channels aired footage showing leaders from the exiled opposition group Mujahideen-e-Khalq and a graphic calling for the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The Iranian government has been criticized for its response to the protests, with President Donald Trump drawing two red lines: the killing of peaceful protesters and mass executions. A US aircraft carrier was seen passing through the Strait of Malacca on Tuesday, raising concerns that it could be heading towards the Middle East.

Meanwhile, tensions remain high between the US and Iran over the crackdown, with the World Economic Forum withdrawing its invitation to Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to speak in Switzerland. The forum cited the "tragic loss of lives of civilians" in Iran as a reason for the withdrawal.

The hack has sparked questions about the level of support Pahlavi enjoys inside Iran, where pro-shah cries have been heard during demonstrations and at night since the crackdown began. While the Iranian government has dismissed the hack as an "unknown source," it is believed to be the work of hackers sympathetic to Pahlavi's cause.

"We acknowledge that some areas of the country were momentarily disrupted by an unknown source," said a statement from the state broadcaster, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. The statement did not provide further details about the content of the broadcast or who was responsible for the hack.

Pahlavi's office also acknowledged the disruption but declined to comment on the hack, citing the sensitivity of the situation.