Iran Escalates Crackdown on Starlink, Citing 'Tool of War' Amid Broader Internet Curbs

Iran has vowed to intensify its crackdown on Elon Musk's satellite internet service, Starlink, and implement further restrictions on global internet access, framing Starlink as a "tool of war" amidst ongoing conflict with the United States and Israel. Starlink, which bypasses Tehran's stringent filtering, is prohibited in Iran due to national security concerns, with penalties including fines and imprisonment for its use and distribution. This measure is part of a broader response by Iranian authorities following strikes by the US and Israel on February 28, which have led to a protracted and economically damaging war.

The country's population of 90 million has already experienced two significant state-imposed internet shutdowns in 2026: a three-week blackout during nationwide protests in January and an 88-day shutdown at the onset of the current war. Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, secretary of the Supreme National Cyberspace Council, characterized Starlink as an enemy's instrument for command and control, espionage, and information gathering, stating that Iran possesses multiple systems to disable Starlink terminals. While specifics were not disclosed, one such system was employed during the January protests, and Iran has offered to share this technology with allied nations.

Iran joins several countries that have banned or restricted Starlink over national security fears. The legal framework in Iran imposes baseline sentences of six months to two years for possessing or using Starlink, with jail terms up to five years for importing and distributing the devices. Individuals facing charges related to national security or espionage in conjunction with Starlink use could even face the death penalty.

Aghamiri urged Iranians to utilize domestic platforms, integrated within the National Information Network, and supported a tiered access model for international connectivity for specific groups like traders, researchers, and journalists during internet restrictions. An anonymous telecommunications expert in Tehran explained that Iranian authorities employ various methods to block Starlink, including jamming devices with diverse configurations, spoofing GPS locations to hinder new device setup, and identifying Starlink IP addresses connected to local services. Authorities also conduct physical interceptions of terminals through patrols, drone searches, and raids on distribution points.

Since 2023, Iran has also lobbied the International Telecommunication Union's Radio Regulations Board to pressure the US and Norway, involved in Starlink's regulatory filings, to cease transmissions. In early October, Iran's Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Norwegian ambassador to protest the perceived inaction regarding unauthorized Starlink operations. Earlier, in late September, Deputy Technology Minister Mohammad Hafez Hakami warned that widespread Starlink adoption could pose a significant threat to Iran's cyberspace governance, as it offers unfettered internet access independent of national networks. He noted that while Telegram was blocked after 2017-18 protests, a full internet shutdown was necessary during the 2019 protests, and similar shutdowns followed for WhatsApp and Instagram after the 2022-23 protests, culminating in the near-total shutdown during the January 2026 protests.

Hakami cautioned that in future crises, Iran might be forced to cut electricity if Starlink becomes prevalent, given its independence from the national network. Since 2022, Starlink has enabled Iranians to share protest footage internationally, despite state restrictions. Tens of thousands of terminals are believed to have been smuggled into the country, though precise figures remain elusive. However, due to state crackdowns, limited availability, and cost, most Iranians still rely on the domestic internet, which heavily restricts access to international services and numerous websites. US sanctions and banking restrictions further complicate access to global services, forcing many Iranians to use VPNs and other circumvention tools, which can be slow, costly, insecure, and less accessible during internet blackouts.

Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani stated on Tuesday that state bodies deliberately disrupt internet access to safeguard national assets and citizens from cyberattacks, acknowledging that reduced internet speeds are sometimes necessary. While authorities have suggested potential restrictions might be lifted on some platforms, no concrete actions have been taken. A policy and governance framework document, under consideration for two years and kept confidential due to security concerns, was released by state-linked media. This document, however, offers no timeline for unblocking platforms, with implementation reportedly stalled by ongoing conflicts and protests. It suggests that Google Play and WhatsApp could potentially be unblocked, while YouTube and Telegram would require negotiations and adherence to specific conditions set by Iranian authorities, conditions considered unlikely to be met by the social media companies.