US Edition
Report: 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.
29 Articles
29 Articles
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Trump Administration Delivers Bold Blow to Iranian Tyranny
The Trump administration has taken extraordinary steps to keep the flame of liberty alive in Iran. According to reports from U.S. officials, thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals were covertly delivered into the hands of Iranian dissidents and protesters following the regime’s savage January crackdown. The mullahs in Tehran, desperate to silence their own people, slaughtered thousands of brave demonstrators and imposed draconian int…
US smuggled thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran after protest crackdown - Editor and Publisher
The Trump administration covertly sent thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran after the regime’s brutal crackdown on demonstrations last month, U.S. officials said, an effort to keep dissidents online following Tehran’s stifling of internet access.
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