US Treasury Department Gives Elon Musk Green Light to Provide Internet Network in Iran
JAKARTA - The US Treasury Department said on Tuesday, September 20, some satellite internet equipment could be exported to Iran. This refers to a request by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who requested a license to provide Starlink satellite broadband services from a company in the mullah country.
Musk said on Monday, September 19, that his company would seek an exemption from US sanctions on Iran. "Starlink will request an exemption from Iran sanctions in this regard," Musk wrote on Twitter in response to a tweet, quoted by Reuters.
Musk's tweet did not provide further details on his plans but it came at a time of widespread protests in Iran over the death of a woman in police custody. The Treasury didn't specify whether the license would apply to Musk's plans, but there's clearly a connection.
Some Twitter users have asked Musk to provide satellite-based internet stations. This is because access to social media and some content from users is strictly restricted in Iran.
The Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has a legacy license that "authorizes certain exports to Iran of hardware, software and services related to communications over the internet, including certain consumer-grade Internet connectivity services and residential consumer satellite terminals authorized in under the D-1 General License," a department spokesman said in a statement.
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"For any export not covered by existing authorizations, OFAC welcomes applications for a special license to authorize activities that support internet freedom in Iran," the statement added.
SpaceX is looking to expand its Starlink network quickly, and is in a race with rival satellite communications companies including OneWeb and Amazon.com Inc, which have yet to launch Project Kuiper.
Through the statement from the US Treasury, Musk was given the green light to provide Starlink internet network in Iran. This access will make it easier for Iranian citizens to get an internet network and will no longer be disturbed by internet network restrictions from their government.