'Even in devastating loss, Iranians are still finding hope'

“We know your hearts are beating for Iran,” one viewer wrote to us recently. “These days more than ever we need your spiritual support, encouragement and solidarity.”

These words arrived during one of the darkest moments many Iranians have faced in recent years. As Iran and the Strait of Hormuz dominate world headlines again this week, the outside world is focused on missiles and diplomacy. Inside Iran, another crisis has been unfolding.

When Iran's government shut down internet access during widespread protests in January 2026, reports estimated the vast majority of Iran’s 90 million population had been cut off from the outside world, making it one of the most extensive communications shutdowns recorded. The protests, sparked by economic grievances and calls for political freedom, saw demonstrators take to the streets across the country. Families abroad waited anxiously for news as phones fell silent. But even as the internet went dark, one form of communication kept flowing: satellite television.