JAKARTA - SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is again involved in political affairs, especially democratization in a country. The Starlink owner said on Friday, September 23 that he would activate Starlink's satellite internet service, in response to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's tweet that the United States would take action to advance internet freedom and free information flows to Iran.
The US Treasury Department last Friday also issued guidelines to expand internet services available to the Iranian people despite US sanctions against the country. This policy comes amid protests around Iran following the death of a 22-year-old woman in detention.
In an official briefing to the Ministry of Finance media, it said: "Our understanding of Starlink is that what they provide will become commercial classes, and it will become hardware that is not covered by general licenses. So it will be something they need to write to the Treasury Department."
A spokesman for the US State Department later said about the updated license last Friday that the license was self-implemented and that "Anyone who meets the criteria outlined in this general license can continue their activities without requesting additional permission."
Musk could not be reached for comment or clarification on Starlink's permission to operate in Iran.
Iranians protested the death of Mahsa Amini last week while in police custody after being arrested by moral police for wearing "unsuitable Iranian government".
Musk said on Monday that the company wanted to provide Starlink satellite broadband services - already available to Ukraine for its fight against the Russian invasion - of Iran, and would ask for sanctions exemptions.
A US State Department spokesman added that if SpaceX determined that some activities aimed at Iran required a special license, "OFAC would welcome it and prioritize it," a US State Department spokesman was quoted as saying by The Verge.
"In the same way, if SpaceX determines that its activities have been authorized and have questions, OFAC also welcomes that engagement," a State Department spokesman said.
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