By Micah Jonah
January 15, 2026
Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink is reportedly providing free access to users in Iran as authorities impose a nationwide communications blackout amid widespread antigovernment protests.
With much of the country cut off from the global internet, Starlink has become one of the few remaining channels through which videos and images of demonstrations and security crackdowns are reaching the outside world.
Starlink does not hold a license to operate in Iran, but thousands of terminals have entered the country since 2022 after the United States authorized tech companies to help Iranians access communication tools despite sanctions. That move followed mass protests after the death in custody of Mahsa Amini.
More recently, United States President, Donald Trump said he wanted Starlink to restore internet access in Iran and that, he would speak with Musk about it. While neither SpaceX nor Musk has made a public announcement, a person familiar with the service said Starlink has activated free access for Iran.
Human rights groups say the service has played a critical role in sharing information about the protests, including reports of casualties. Iranian authorities have released no official death toll, while opposition groups claim the number of protesters killed is far higher than official figures. Independent verification of the numbers remains difficult due to the blackout.
Digital monitoring groups report that Iran has experienced at least 17 internet shutdowns since 2018, usually during periods of unrest. However, this latest shutdown is described as the most extensive in scope and duration, affecting nearly the entire country and also limiting international phone connections.
State media said access to the National Information Network, Iran’s domestic intranet, has been restored, and that a decision on broader internet access would be taken by authorities within two weeks.
Alongside cutting internet access, Iran has also moved to block Starlink directly. Officials have attempted to jam satellite signals, have seized terminals, marking a shift from earlier shutdowns that focused mainly on cutting terrestrial networks.
Iranian state media released footage showing confiscated Starlink equipment, describing it as tools for electronic espionage and sabotage. The Ministry of Intelligence said the devices were intended for use in areas experiencing unrest.
Starlink operates through a network of low Earth orbit satellites about 550 kilometers above the planet. Users connect through small satellite receivers that automatically switch between satellites as they pass overhead. This design allows service even when local infrastructure is down, but it also makes the signal more vulnerable to jamming because the receivers accept signals from a wider angle.
Starlink has previously offered free service in crisis situations, including natural disasters and political emergencies. The company also recently activated free access in Venezuela following political upheaval there.
The service has also drawn controversy. In past conflicts, including in Ukraine, Starlink has been praised for supporting civilian and military communications, but has also faced criticism over sudden service restrictions in sensitive areas. In parts of Southeast Asia, criminal groups have used Starlink to stay online despite government shutdowns.
Iran previously filed a complaint with the International Telecommunication Union over Starlink’s operations without authorization. The UN body ruled that the service was operating illegally in the country, raising broader questions about the role of private companies in bypassing state controls during political crises.
As protests continue, digital access remains restricted, Starlink’s growing presence has become a central factor in how information flows in and out of Iran during one of its most intense periods of unrest in years.
