US EditionIranians tap Musk's Starlink to skirt internet blackout: Report
Iranian authorities reportedly use military-grade jamming to disrupt up to 80% of Starlink satellite internet traffic amid efforts to suppress protest communications.
- On Jan 12, Reuters reported some Iranians still use Elon Musk's Starlink despite a nationwide blackout lasting over 84 hours, with connectivity near 1% after Iranian authorities launched a near-complete shutdown.
- Iranian authorities began deploying military-grade jamming systems to disrupt Starlink, while analysts said the regime likely triggered an electronic-warfare `kill switch` to block protest areas.
- IranWire reports that smuggled Starlink terminals faced about 30% initial traffic disruption rising to more than 80%, leaving patchy service across Iran.
- The blackout inflicts steep economic loss estimated at roughly $1.56 million per hour, while security forces making arrests have detained more than 200, Human Rights Activists in Iran report thousands detained.
- Given Starlink's role in Ukraine and other conflicts, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he plans to speak with Elon Musk about restoring internet in Iran, while SpaceX/Starlink did not comment on disruptions.
73 Articles
73 Articles
In Iran, the Internet shutdown has been going on for the fifth day. It takes place against the background of mass protests that began at the end of December 2025. As a result, Iranian users have almost completely lost not only access to the global network, but also, probably, international telephone communication. Starlink terminals, which have been illegally imported into the country over the past few years, help to bypass restrictions. However…
Some Iranians are still able to use the internet despite a nationwide lockdown, thanks to billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service. The Iranian regime has been blocking internet services as it tries to suppress widespread protests across the country. This is the first time Starlink has prevented a complete internet shutdown in areas affected by unrest.
Iran is once again rocked by widespread protests. The regime has shut down the internet and unverified reports suggest that thousands of Iranians may have been killed. Five things to know about what's happening in Iran.
Dictatorships such as the Iranian regime suppress the Internet in order to gain control. By blocking and manipulating gateways communication is severely restricted. Satellite systems such as Starlink offer dissidents new possibilities.
Since 8 January, the Internet has been cut off in the country, while the population has been severely repressed. To circumvent censorship, Iranians are using Elon Musk technology, whose use has been banned by a law passed in parliament, but Tehran seems to have found the parade to further isolate the population.
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