US EditionReport: US Covertly Sent 6,000 Starlink Terminals into Iran
Approximately 6,000 Starlink terminals helped Iranian protesters maintain communication during the government’s extensive internet blackout, highlighting new geopolitical and digital sovereignty challenges.
- In January 2026, Iranian authorities shut down landline and mobile networks, but Starlink terminals on rooftops enabled protesters to bypass the blackout and stream videos of the unrest.
- Since 2022, smugglers have brought about 50,000 Starlink terminals into Iran, and SpaceX began waiving fees after President Trump said he would ask Elon Musk.
- International analysts reported military-grade jamming and GPS spoofing by Iranian authorities that degraded Starlink service, while Iranian law enforcement used drones and legal threats but could not fully block satellite signals; the International Telecommunication Union ruled in Iran's favor, declaring Starlink's operation illegal.
- Russia and Iran urged international negotiations to set limits, as states issuing Starlink licenses become more cautious after the episode impeded enforcement of sovereign blackouts.
- The key question now is whose hands will control connectivity, as January 2026 may signify a turning point where nation states, technology conglomerates and citizens compete for accountability and influence.
62 Articles
62 Articles
US Secretly Sent Thousands of Starlink Terminals to Iran
Washington's quiet bet on Elon Musk's satellites in Iran turns out to have been much bigger than previously disclosed. US officials say the Trump administration secretly moved about 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran after security forces there crushed mass protests in January, killing thousands and sharply limiting...
In the face of Internet restrictions in Iran, introduced during the protests that killed thousands last month, Donald Trump had already mentioned the idea of sending Elon Musk's terminals.
The U.S. government clandestinely supplied some 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals to Iran following the regime's brutal crackdown on demonstrations last month, reported The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The U.S. government clandestinely provided some 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals to Iran, a service that is being developed by the company SpaceX of businessman Elon Musk. This action was carried out following the brutal repression of the regime against the demonstrations last month, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).This is the first time that Washington sends these equipment directly to the country. Thus, the State Departme…
Starlink terminals smuggled into Iran amid protest crackdown: report
The United States quietly moved thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran after authorities imposed internet shutdowns as part of its crackdown on protests, as per information shared by U.S. officials to The Wall Street Journal. Roughly 6,000 units were delivered following January’s unrest, marking the first known instance of Washington directly supplying the satellite systems inside the country. Iran’s government significantly restricted onlin…
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