Some Iranians are continuing to access the internet through Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service despite a near-total nationwide communications blackout, according to sources inside the country, highlighting the growing role of satellite connectivity during geopolitical crises.
Iranian authorities have sharply restricted internet access in recent days as protests spread nationwide. The shutdown, which affects most civilian users, has been enforced by disabling fibre-optic networks and mobile phone towers – the primary infrastructure through which internet and communications services are delivered. The move has made it difficult to verify events on the ground and has limited the flow of information both within Iran and to the outside world.
Despite these restrictions, a small number of users are reportedly relying on Starlink, a satellite-based internet service operated by SpaceX, to remain online. Because Starlink does not depend on local telecommunications infrastructure, it can operate independently of government-controlled networks, making it a powerful tool in environments where authorities impose blackouts.
This is not the first time Starlink has been used to counter internet shutdowns during periods of unrest. The service has previously been activated in conflict zones and countries facing censorship, offering journalists, activists, and civilians an alternative route to global connectivity when traditional networks fail or are deliberately disabled.
Access to Starlink in Iran, however, remains limited and risky. Satellite terminals must be physically imported and installed, often in secret, and users face potential legal consequences if discovered. The equipment is also costly, meaning it is typically accessible only to a small number of people, rather than the broader population affected by the blackout.
Human rights groups and digital freedom advocates say internet shutdowns are increasingly used as a tool to suppress dissent, disrupt protest coordination, and limit media coverage. Satellite services like Starlink are emerging as one of the few technological countermeasures, though their reach is still constrained by logistics, cost, and government enforcement.
The Iranian government has not publicly commented on the reported use of Starlink during the current protests. Meanwhile, tech analysts note that the situation underscores a broader shift in how connectivity is maintained during crises, with satellite internet playing a growing role in bypassing state-controlled networks.
As protests and crackdowns continue, the limited but persistent use of Starlink in Iran illustrates how technology is reshaping the balance between state control and access to information – even under the most restrictive conditions.
