The United Nations Fact-Finding Mission on Iran called on Tehran to immediately restore internet and mobile connectivity and end its violent crackdown of nationwide protests, the UN Human Rights Council reported on January 10.

The mission called on state authorities to immediately desist from unnecessary and disproportionate use of lethal force and adhere to international human rights law in its response to demonstrations entering their third week.

The Fact-Finding Mission said it was alarmed by credible information indicating that the Supreme National Security Council issued a statement ordering security forces to wage a "decisive" crackdown without showing any restraint to bring the protests to an end.

The internet was shut down and a total communications blackout began on the evening of January 8, the mission said. It urged authorities to uphold the rights of peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained for exercising protected conduct.

The mission said it is reviewing open-source materials, including video footage and photos of reported violence, which show security forces opening fire on protesters. Video footage also showed individuals setting fire to buildings and vehicles in public streets.

The protests began on December 28 following the collapse of Iran's national currency and have expanded to at least 46 cities. As of January 11, hundreds, most of them men, including at least five children, have reportedly been killed in several provinces across Iran, including Qom, Yasuj, Kermanshah, Ilam and Lorestan.

Members of security forces have also allegedly been killed, according to Iran's parliament.

The mission noted reports of use of force violations in ethnic minority regions, including Lorestan and Ilam provinces. The state response was particularly brutal in Lorestan and Ilam, home to ethnic minorities, with at least eight protesters killed in Lorestan and five others in Ilam.

The crackdown mirrors patterns previously documented by the Fact-Finding Mission during the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement including gross human rights violations.