Iran cuts social media access as unrest turns deadly 12/31/2017 6:21:35 PM Iranian students scuffle with police at the University of Tehran during a protest against economic problems on December 30, 2017 AFP, Dec. 31, 2017 -- Iran cut access to social media on Sunday in a bid to head off further protests after days of unrest that saw two people killed and dozens arrested. The interior minister warned protesters will 'pay the price' as footage on social media showed thousands marching across the country overnight in the biggest test for the Islamic republic since mass demonstrations in 2009.