Jakarta - A number of Iranian citizens are still able to access the internet through Elon Musk's Starlink satellite service, even though the local government has imposed a near-total communication blackout across the country. This information was conveyed by several sources inside Iran, marking Starlink's return as an important tool for penetrating information restrictions in conflict areas and political turmoil.
National internet shutdowns have been imposed by Iranian authorities in recent days in line with the crackdown on the widespread wave of protests. Fiber-optic cable-based internet access and mobile networks are almost completely cut off, making it difficult for residents to communicate and obtain information from abroad.
However, unlike conventional networks, Starlink works by beaming signals directly from thousands of low-orbit satellites to user terminals on the ground. This mechanism makes the service still accessible in a number of Iranian regions, even though its use is officially prohibited by the government.
"It still works, even though it's not stable," said one Starlink user in the Western Iranian region, quoted by VOI from Reuters. He admitted to knowing dozens of other people who were still using the service. According to him, Starlink users in border cities are relatively less affected than other areas.
The same thing was conveyed by Alp Toker, founder of the internet monitoring group NetBlocks. He said that his party received reports that Starlink access was still active in Iran, although the quality of the service seemed to have declined.
"Access is intermittent, but still there," Toker said.
NetBlocks noted that the non-satellite internet blackout in Iran, which began since January 8, is still ongoing until Monday. Based on data on cable and mobile network traffic monitored by its agency, the level of internet connectivity in Iran is only about 1 percent of normal conditions.
It is not yet clear how Iranian authorities are trying to disrupt the Starlink service. However, a number of telecommunications experts assess that the disruption is likely due to jamming or jamming signals on the Starlink terminal, so that the device's ability to receive signals from satellites is disrupted.
Starlink is part of SpaceX, a private company from the United States founded by Elon Musk. Until this news was released, SpaceX did not respond to requests for comment from the media. Meanwhile, Iranian authorities could not be contacted, along with the disruption of telephone and internet services in the country. The Iranian government previously blamed a group they called terrorists for the riots and confirmed that they would maintain the continuity of the government system.
Starlink's role in this Iranian situation once again highlights the extent of Elon Musk's influence and his satellite internet service in global geopolitical conflicts and tensions. In recent years, Starlink has often been an alternative communication channel when governments or armed groups cut off conventional internet access.
In Ukraine, Starlink has become the backbone of communications for the military and government since Russia's massive invasion in 2022. The service helps maintain connectivity in areas where communication infrastructure has been damaged by war.
In Myanmar, rebel groups, humanitarian organizations, and medical personnel use Starlink to communicate as the military junta imposes repeated internet blackouts.
Meanwhile in Sudan, Starlink is used by both sides of the long-running civil war due to ongoing communications outages.
In the context of Iran, Starlink access is considered very limited. The price of the device and the subscription fee are the main obstacles for most citizens. The standard Starlink terminal is priced at around 599 US dollars, plus the monthly service fee, a figure that is considered unaffordable for many people in Iran, especially amid economic pressures and international sanctions.
Elon Musk previously sent Starlink terminals to Ukraine for free and offered free internet services to support the country. However, a similar policy has not been widely implemented in Iran.
US President Donald Trump on Sunday said he planned to speak with Musk about restoring internet access in Iran, although he did not explicitly mention Starlink. The statement shows that the issue of internet connectivity in Iran has become a concern at the highest level of the US government.
Starlink itself does not have official permission to operate in Iran. However, Musk has repeatedly stated that his service is active in the country. In December 2022, he wrote on the X social media platform that his company "approached 100 active Starlink in Iran," a relatively small number compared to Iran's population of around 92 million.
In June 2025, in response to a netizen's post asking for Starlink to be activated in Iran, Musk replied briefly, "beams are on," which was interpreted as confirmation that Starlink signals were available.
After the 12-day short war between Iran and Israel in June 2025, the Iranian parliament passed a law that officially banned the use of Starlink. The rules set severe sanctions for anyone who uses or distributes this unlicensed communication technology, as reported by Iranian state media.
Despite facing legal threats and technical disruptions, some Iranians continue to use Starlink as the only way to connect with the outside world. For them, this satellite internet service is not just a technology, but a vital tool for exchanging information, voicing conditions in the country, and maintaining access to communications amid increasingly tight restrictions.
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