Iran Targets Starlink, Warns of More Internet Curbs
By Naeema Saleem — SCN NEWS
TEHRAN — Iran has intensified its campaign against Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service, describing the technology as a tool of warfare and warning that further restrictions on internet access could be imposed as its conflict with the United States and Israel continues, according to statements by senior Iranian officials.
Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, secretary of Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace, accused Starlink of facilitating military communications, espionage and intelligence gathering for Tehran's adversaries, saying authorities had developed several methods to disrupt satellite internet connections. His remarks underscore the government's concern that technology operating outside Iran's domestic telecommunications infrastructure could weaken its ability to restrict communications during periods of conflict and political unrest.
Aghamiri said Iranian authorities had already deployed equipment capable of interfering with Starlink terminals during nationwide protests in January and possessed additional systems that could be used against satellite communications. He did not provide technical details or independently verifiable evidence establishing the effectiveness of those measures. Iranian officials have also raised the possibility of treating satellite internet infrastructure as a military target if they determine that it is being used for warfare, although the legal status of any particular target would depend on the circumstances of its use.
Starlink, operated by Musk's SpaceX, connects users to the internet through a network of satellites rather than relying entirely on conventional ground-based telecommunications infrastructure. The service has become an alternative for some Iranians seeking access to international websites, messaging platforms and social media during government-imposed restrictions. Tehran prohibits unauthorized satellite internet services on national security grounds and has introduced criminal penalties for possessing, operating, importing or distributing the equipment.
Under Iranian regulations, individuals found using or possessing unauthorized Starlink terminals can face prison sentences ranging from six months to two years, while importing or distributing the devices can carry penalties of up to five years. More serious national security or espionage allegations can result in substantially harsher punishment. The restrictions have made access to satellite equipment costly and risky, limiting its availability despite reports that thousands of terminals have entered the country through unofficial channels.
The latest warnings follow two prolonged internet shutdowns imposed by Iranian authorities during 2026, including a roughly three-week disruption during nationwide protests in January and an 88-day period of restricted global connectivity following the outbreak of war with the United States and Israel on February 28. Those shutdowns sharply limited access to international communications services, leaving many residents dependent on domestic networks and applications operating under government controls.
Iranian officials maintain that restrictions are necessary to protect national security, critical infrastructure and sensitive information during military confrontation. Critics of the shutdowns, including digital rights advocates, have argued that broad restrictions also prevent civilians from communicating with relatives, obtaining independent information and documenting events during emergencies. Satellite internet has attracted particular attention because it can continue operating when conventional international internet links are disabled, provided users have functioning equipment and an unobstructed connection.
Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani acknowledged on Tuesday that Iranian authorities sometimes deliberately reduce internet speeds, describing the measures as necessary to protect databases, digital services and national assets from cyberattacks. She said officials did not deny that such disruptions were taking place, indicating that restrictions on connectivity remained part of the government's response to security threats.
Iranian authorities have also been examining how to maintain tighter control over internet access as satellite technology becomes more widely available. Deputy Technology Minister Mohammad Hafez Hakami warned during a meeting in late September that expanding use of Starlink could undermine the country's existing system of online regulation because satellite connections do not depend on infrastructure controlled by domestic telecommunications operators.
Hakami described the technology as a potentially decisive challenge to Iran's internet governance framework, noting that earlier restrictions had relied on blocking individual applications or shutting down international connections through domestic networks. He suggested that widespread satellite access could make those measures increasingly ineffective and raised the possibility of electricity restrictions during future crises, although no such nationwide policy has been announced.
Iran has progressively tightened restrictions on international online platforms during previous periods of unrest. Authorities blocked Telegram following protests in 2017 and 2018, imposed a major internet shutdown during demonstrations in 2019 and restricted WhatsApp and Instagram after the protests that began in 2022. The January 2026 shutdown represented another extensive disruption, reinforcing concerns about the government's willingness to suspend international connectivity during major domestic emergencies.
A telecommunications specialist based in Tehran told Al Jazeera that authorities have employed several techniques to interfere with Starlink operations, including electronic signal jamming, manipulation of satellite terminal location information and attempts to identify devices through their connections with domestic online services. Security forces have also reportedly searched for equipment through patrols, inspections and raids targeting suspected distribution networks. The full extent and effectiveness of those operations could not be independently established.
The Iranian government has pursued diplomatic and regulatory measures alongside domestic enforcement. Tehran has raised complaints about unauthorized Starlink transmissions through the International Telecommunication Union and has sought action from countries associated with the satellite network's regulatory arrangements. On October 4, Iran's Foreign Ministry summoned Norway's ambassador to protest what it described as the failure to address unauthorized Starlink operations within Iranian territory.
Iranian authorities argue that satellite internet providers should comply with national telecommunications regulations and security requirements. The government has simultaneously encouraged residents to use domestic services supported by the National Information Network, a system designed to maintain access to selected Iranian websites and applications even when connections to the wider global internet are restricted.
Officials have also supported proposals for differentiated internet access that would allow selected groups, including researchers, journalists and business operators, to retain controlled international connectivity during periods of broader restrictions. Such arrangements would create different levels of access depending on professional status or government authorization, although authorities have not announced a comprehensive timetable for implementing the model.
A policy document released through state-linked media this week outlined possible conditions for restoring access to some international platforms. The proposals included potentially allowing Google Play and WhatsApp to operate again, while requiring services such as YouTube and Telegram to negotiate terms with Iranian authorities before restrictions could be lifted. No implementation date was provided, and the document did not establish that any of the currently blocked services would be restored.
The government has previously considered easing restrictions on selected platforms, but repeated episodes of political unrest and military confrontation have complicated those discussions. Most Iranians continue to rely on domestic internet connections and virtual private networks to reach international services, although VPN connections can be unreliable, expensive or unavailable during extensive shutdowns.
The renewed confrontation over Starlink comes as Iranian authorities seek to preserve control over communications during the continuing conflict with Washington and Israel. Although Tehran has outlined its security concerns and claimed progress in disrupting satellite terminals, it has not announced a specific date for additional nationwide internet restrictions or provided independent technical evidence supporting all of its claims about Starlink's military use.
For now, satellite internet remains prohibited in Iran, and the government has indicated that enforcement will continue while it considers further measures affecting access to international networks.