VFI News Iran Cuts Internet as Uprising Spreads; Militias Mobilized, Global Alarm

Iran is no longer facing protests—it’s facing a nationwide revolt, and the regime is threatening brutal violence to survive.

In this explosive edition of VFI News from Israel, Barry Segal breaks down the Iranian uprising, the collapse of long-standing regime narratives after the 12-Day War, Hezbollah’s growing missile threat from Lebanon, and Hamas rearming in Gaza through drone smuggling.

The report also exposes the global ripple effects of the U.S. takedown of Venezuela’s Maduro regime and its deep ties to Iran, Hezbollah, and international criminal networks. From Tehran to Gaza, Lebanon, and beyond, this episode connects the dots on why Israel is preparing for escalation—and why these events matter far beyond the Middle East.

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Reports from inside and outside Iran on Thursday, January 8, indicate the regime has moved to reinforce security forces with allied militia elements as anti-government demonstrations spread to hundreds of locations across the country. Sources describe the scale of the protests as nationwide, spanning more than two dozen provinces, while videos circulating from major cities show throngs in the streets and running clashes with riot police. The government’s response has escalated accordingly, with a wave of arrests and a tightening security cordon around sensitive sites.

Amid this turmoil, opposition sources and regional observers say Tehran has leaned on foreign proxy networks for backup, pointing to Hezbollah and Iraqi militia cadres as among those assisting regime units. While details remain contested, the thrust of these accounts suggests the authorities intend to deter further mobilization by signaling that additional muscle is on hand. That decision, however, risks inflaming an already volatile environment; protesters have been energized by economic hardship and deep political grievances, and the use of extra-regional forces could harden public anger.

For Israel and its neighbors, the possibility of proxy fighters operating within Iran highlights the breadth of the Islamic Republic’s influence web and the challenge of de-escalation. It also adds a dangerous layer to an internal crisis that is already drawing international concern. Regional security watchers warn that miscalculation—either by demonstrators, local commanders, or allied militias—could push confrontations into deadlier territory in the days ahead.

(FOX/VFI News)

“Lord, we lift up the people of Iran—protect the innocent, restrain every hand bent on violence, and give courage and wisdom to those seeking freedom from oppression. Grant mercy to the wounded, comfort to grieving families, and give clarity to decision-makers so that life is preserved and peace is pursued. We pray that You will take down the oppressive regime in Iran with Your infinite power. In Yeshua’s name we pray. Amen.”

On Thursday, January 8, authorities in Iran sharply curtailed internet connectivity and disrupted phone service across multiple regions as demonstrations surged in Tehran, Isfahan, Mashhad, and other cities. Footage posted from the capital showed overturned or burned vehicles on thoroughfares, while additional clips pointed to attacks on local offices of the state broadcaster. Activist networks described tens of thousands marching, chanting against repression and corruption as unrest that began in late December accelerated into the new year.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry came under fresh scrutiny online as international messages of solidarity in Farsi reached demonstrators even amid the blackout. Rights organizations denounced the growing use of force, and expatriate figures urged sustained, coordinated protest activity. Local reports also spoke of casualties among security personnel, underscoring the combustible dynamic on the ground. The clampdown on connectivity—long used by the regime to impede mobilization and documentation—served as a stark indicator that harder measures could be imminent.

Analysts noted that choking off communications is a hallmark of crisis management for the Islamic Republic, intended to fragment crowds and obstruct the documentation of abuses. Yet each blackout also feeds public fury and international scrutiny. With inflation and shortage pressures squeezing households, the resolve behind the demonstrations appears rooted in daily realities as much as in political demands. The next phase will hinge on whether authorities escalate, relent, or sit in a grinding stalemate with a populace determined to be heard.

(JPost/VFI News)

“But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” – Amos 5:24

As protests entered their second week, human rights monitors tallied at least 29 fatalities and more than 1,200 arrests by January 6. Among the dead were minors, according to local reporting, while videos shared from cities in western Iran showed tear gas deployed in crowded public spaces. Additional footage and testimonies pointed to raids and alleged coerced confessions, a grim pattern familiar from earlier cycles of dissent and crackdown.

Authorities have struck a dual pose—acknowledging economic grievances in the abstract while denouncing “rioters” and promising to identify and detain perceived agitators. Shopkeepers and transit hubs in parts of Tehran operated under visible police and plainclothes presence, with some merchants reportedly pressured to reopen during strikes. The unrest, which began with cost-of-living anger, now carries a more overtly political tenor as chants and banners call for sweeping change.

The risk calculus for all sides is stark: families fear for loved ones already detained; medics navigate intimidation; and security services face escalating confrontations with large crowds. With the casualty count mounting and detentions piling up, diplomats abroad warn of a trajectory toward further bloodshed unless de-escalation steps are taken swiftly.

(JPost/VFI News)

“God of compassion, stretch out Your hand over Iran—heal the wounded, shelter the vulnerable, and bring justice without further loss of life. Strengthen those who seek peace, expose the lies and abuses of the Ayatollah regime, and open a path for truthful leadership that honors the dignity of every person.”

In an interview published on Thursday, January 8, US Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada framed Iran’s missile program and proxy network as a global threat and pressed for a “technological lifeline” to help Iranian protesters communicate despite blackouts. She advocated coordinated pressures targeting Tehran’s revenue streams and the entities enabling its illicit activity, while also pointing to recent US–Israel defense cooperation as a model for regional security.

Rosen highlighted integrated air and missile defense, maritime security, and cyber collaboration as areas where US law has already undergirded Israel’s protection. She called for deeper coordination between Congress and the administration on sanctions architecture and renewed her support for expanding the Abraham Accords. The senator linked these policy aims to a broader objective: a Middle East in which Iran is deterred and citizens seeking liberty are not abandoned in isolation.

Her emphasis on communications access comes amid Iran’s latest connectivity shutdowns. Advocates argue that secure messaging, satellite-enabled internet, and anti-censorship tools can save lives by guiding protesters away from danger and documenting abuses in real time. Whether Washington and its partners can translate intent into timely support will be closely watched as the crisis continues.

(JPost/VFI News)

“I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life.” – 1 Timothy 2:1–2

"Pray for Jerusalem" is a heartfelt song that calls for peace and blessings upon the holy city of Jerusalem. Rooted in biblical themes, the lyrics emphasize the importance of prayer, unity, and prosperity for those who love her. With the recurring Hebrew phrase "Shalom Alechem" (Peace be unto you), the song serves as a prayerful anthem, invoking blessings for the city and its people. Perfect for spiritual gatherings or personal reflection, "Pray for Jerusalem" inspires hope and faith, encouraging listeners to seek peace for the sacred city and beyond.

Russia moved to formalize a new day of remembrance for “the genocide of the Soviet people” under Nazi occupation, with President Vladimir Putin signing a decree establishing April 19 as the annual commemoration. The measure, reported this week, emphasizes crimes against Soviet civilians and prisoners and references extermination and concentration camps. Yet the text, as summarized by state outlets and official statements, avoids explicitly naming the Jewish people—the primary victims of Nazi racial genocide—prompting criticism from Jewish groups and historians.

The date was chosen in reference to an April 19, 1943, legal act cited by the Duma’s defense committee, which underpins the Soviet-era pursuit of Nazi criminals. Official coverage highlighted atrocities at camps such as Maly Trostenets, Dachau, Sachsenhausen and Buchenwald, with casualty figures framed through a Soviet lens. Scholars noted that this presentation obscures the fact that the Jewish people comprised the majority of those murdered in several of these sites and in the Nazi program as a whole.

Observers see the move as part of a broader narrative that centers Soviet suffering while downplaying the unique, targeted destruction of European Jewry. The symbolism of April 19 also intersects with Jewish memory: the date marks the outbreak of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising. For communities in Israel and the diaspora, the omission lands at a time of rising antisemitism in Europe and beyond and is being watched closely for its potential impact on public memory and education.

(JPost/VFI News)

“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations.” – Deuteronomy 32:7

New research released January 8 by the education-monitoring institute IMPACT-se finds that Hungarian school textbooks present Judaism in a positive light and cover Jewish history and the Holocaust in depth. The review cites empathetic language, primary-source materials and historical photographs, along with classroom activities that encourage students to engage thoughtfully with the subject matter.

According to the analysis, textbooks address antisemitism across centuries and include chapters on the blood libel, the Dreyfus Affair, and discriminatory legislation in Europe. Lessons on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict contain maps and timelines of regional wars, reference expulsions of Jews from Arab countries alongside Palestinian displacement, and generally refrain from demonizing language.

The report notes a few gaps—such as limited treatment of the role of local collaborators—yet concludes that the overall curriculum is balanced and constructive. On the political level, public statements in Budapest on January 8 underscored official support for Jewish communal security. The findings will likely be contrasted with curricula elsewhere in Europe amid a broader debate over rising antisemitism and historical literacy.

(JPost/VFI News)

“We will not hide them from their children, but tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the Lord.” – Psalm 78:4

Israel-founded cybersecurity company Cyera announced January 8 it had raised $400 million in a new round led by Blackstone, lifting its valuation to $9 billion—triple what it was a year ago. The funding follows two large 2025 rounds and brings total capital raised to more than $1.7 billion, signaling investor urgency around securing data as organizations rush to adopt AI across their operations.

Founded in 2021 by CEO Yotam Segev and CTO Tamar Bar-Ilan, both alumni of the IDF’s Unit 8200, the firm built a platform that maps where sensitive data resides, how it’s accessed, and how to protect it across clouds, SaaS apps, databases and AI pipelines. Cyera says roughly a fifth of Fortune 500 companies already use its tools, its headcount has tripled to about 1,100, and its footprint now spans 15 countries, including a large R&D presence in Israel.

Backers describe a shift toward unified data-security platforms as AI transforms enterprise risk. For Israel’s tech sector—still navigating a wartime economy—the deal is a reminder of the ecosystem’s resilience and the global demand for solutions that safeguard information without slowing innovation.

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“Father, grant Israel’s innovators humility, integrity, and discernment as they build tools that safeguard life. Protect sensitive data, expose cyber threats before they harm, and bless those who use technology to serve the common good.”

From November 13, 2025, through January 15, 2026, Tel Aviv’s Ganei Yehoshua Tropical Garden is hosting LUMAGICA, an outdoor light festival that bathes the park in glowing pathways and kinetic installations each evening. The experience opens after sunset and was billed as one of the most ambitious light shows yet mounted in Israel.

Families wander through illuminated arches, artful projections and whimsical scenes set among trees and water features—an accessible outing during the cooler months when daylight is short. Organizers designed the route to accommodate strollers and varied pacing, with plenty of photo stops along the way.

In a season dominated by hard headlines, the event offers a slice of wonder and a gentle gathering space for locals and visitors alike. For those traveling to Israel this winter, it’s a reminder that everyday joys still shine amid challenges.

(YNN/VFI News)

The suggestions, opinions, and scripture references made by VFI News writers and editors are based on the best information received.

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