starlink

Starlink, led by Elon Musk, has begun offering free internet access inside Iran. The move followed a phone call with Donald Trump and comes as Iranian authorities shut down nationwide connectivity while intensifying a crackdown on anti-government protests.
Official reports cite more than 1,800 protesters killed, though human-rights groups warn the true toll may be significantly higher due to a near-total communications blackout. Even regime insiders reportedly found themselves offline for days. Two cybersecurity researchers say that so-called “white” SIM cards—still functional during the 2025 Iran–Israel conflict—were disconnected this time as well.

Smuggling Terminals Across Borders, Years in the Making
A network of volunteers and technologists has launched smuggling operations to bring Starlink terminals into Iran, routing equipment through Iraqi Kurdistan and Armenia. One organizer—a software engineer who previously worked with Iranian authorities—left the country and now helps coordinate logistics. The group had prepared for a full shutdown for years.
The effort relies on a 2022 sanctions exemption that allows U.S. tech firms to provide communications tools in Iran. Introduced under Joe Biden, the exemption is now being used by SpaceX to deliver satellite connectivity during the current crackdown.
Users inside Iran can reportedly connect only in brief bursts. Terminals are hidden, powered on sparingly, and shut down quickly—amid drone patrols, neighborhood reporting, and security sweeps. Each connection carries risk.

State Pushback: Jamming and Seizures
Iranian state TV has displayed over 1,000 seized devices, including phones and signal boosters. The Ministry of Information claims the equipment was smuggled for espionage and to bypass the blackout.
Analyst Ahmadian says the government has deployed military-grade jamming against Starlink, similar to tactics used by Russia in Ukraine. Researchers at Project Ainita note that Iran has only two gateways to the global internet—Telecommunication Infrastructure Company and the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences—making nationwide cutoffs easier to enforce.
Doug Madory of Kentik says Iran has built its own “Great Firewall,” allowing only approved traffic. With just two international links, he adds, cutting access is technically straightforward.

An Ongoing Battle for Information
Activists occasionally manage to push videos online, but the signal flickers on and off. Many residents stay offline for safety, connecting only when necessary. Arrests continue, and the blackout persists.
Experts stress that Iran’s approach differs from China’s model. While Beijing replaced global platforms with domestic apps like WeChat and TikTok, Tehran relies on hard disconnections and physical control of infrastructure—and is now racing to contain Starlink before it takes hold.
The outcome remains uncertain. What is clear is that satellite internet has become a new frontline in the struggle between state power and civil society.

#starlink , #ElonMusk , #iran , #Geopolitics , #SpaceX
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Donald Trump has announced plans to consult billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk about deploying SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet to help reconnect Iranian citizens to the internet after authorities shut it down in response to widespread protests.
The former U.S. president emphasized that Starlink’s advanced technology could bypass local censorship and reestablish connectivity independently of Iran’s state-controlled infrastructure.

Iran Plunged into Digital Darkness Amid Protests
Iranian authorities have cut off internet access in most regions of the country amid ongoing protests. According to data from NetBlocks, connectivity across Iran has dropped to near zero and remains severely limited.
This blackout has crippled communication, leaving people unable to access news, use cloud services for work, study online, or send and receive money digitally. Journalists and human rights monitors are also struggling to verify information and monitor the extent of violence.
Iran relies on a centralized infrastructure that requires government authorization to operate mobile towers, fiber optics, and data centers. This gives officials total control and the power to shut down services at any time.

Starlink: A Signal from Space, Beyond Censorship
Starlink offers a unique lifeline: it connects users directly to orbiting satellites, bypassing local towers and cables. This makes it difficult for regimes to interfere with or block access.
Satellite internet has already proven its value in other countries facing authoritarian crackdowns. For Iranians, it could mean a return to basic freedoms in communication and access to outside information.

Trump: “Musk is the best at this”
Trump praised Musk’s technical expertise and said he plans to discuss how Starlink terminals could bypass Iranian censorship and reconnect people.
He stressed that it’s vital for Iranian citizens to read the news, talk to family members, and share their experiences with the outside world – especially during a time of fear and unrest.
However, Trump also noted that any such plan would need to navigate U.S. sanctions. Iran is subject to strict export controls on technology and services, meaning companies need special approval to provide internet hardware or access.

Iran Warns: Foreign-Controlled Internet Unwelcome
Iranian leaders have long warned citizens against using unauthorized satellite equipment and have actively jammed or blocked foreign signals. They view foreign internet infrastructure as a threat to national sovereignty.
Starlink would therefore face both technical and political resistance.

A New Alliance in the Making?
Beyond geopolitics, this initiative marks a potential rekindling of ties between Trump and Musk. The two had a strained relationship in recent years, especially after Musk criticized Trump’s tax policies.
But signs of reconciliation are emerging – including a private dinner at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Their collaboration on Starlink for Iran could be the start of a new political-technological alliance.

🔹 Trump eyes Starlink to break Iran’s digital blockade

🔹 Iran cuts off internet to silence protests

🔹 Musk’s tech could reconnect citizens to the world

🔹 Sanctions and political tension pose major hurdles

🔹 Trump–Musk relations show signs of revival

#TRUMP , #ElonMusk , #starlink , #SpaceX , #Geopolitics

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Notice:
,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“