When mass protests erupt in Iran, one of the first responses from authorities is often the same: shut down the internet.The tactic has been used repeatedly during major unrest, limiting communication between protest organisers, slowing the spread of footage, and cutting off access to independent news. In Iran’s latest blackout, internet availability has reportedly collapsed to a fraction of normal levels.Yet even when the lights go out online, some Iranians have found a way to stay connected. Increasingly, that backdoor has a name: Starlink.
What Starlink is, and why it matters in a blackout
Starlink is SpaceX’s satellite internet service, designed to deliver broadband from space rather than relying on fibre lines and mobile networks. That technical detail is what makes it useful during shutdowns.Unlike traditional internet infrastructure, satellite connectivity is harder for a government to switch off nationwide, because it does not depend on local towers and state-controlled telecom networks. Even during severe blackouts, some users have reported access through Starlink, although service can be unstable.For protest movements, that access can be critical. It helps people:
- send videos and images out of the country
- communicate with relatives abroad
- access messaging tools and news sources
- coordinate in areas where mobile data is crippled
Starlink is banned in Iran, but terminals still get in
Starlink is not authorised in Iran. Tehran has repeatedly declared the service illegal and treated it as a national security issue.Despite that, terminals have entered the country through informal channels. Over time, an underground ecosystem has grown around satellite connectivity, with Starlink devices becoming one of the most valuable tools for staying online during internet shutdowns. Estimates suggest that tens of thousands of terminals may now be inside Iran, sometimes serving multiple users through shared access.
How Iran tries to stop Starlink
Iran’s crackdown has gone beyond cutting mobile data. Authorities have also focused on disrupting Starlink directly.Reports suggest Iran has attempted to jam Starlink signals, weakening reliability and making it difficult to upload videos and images. That matters because uploads are often the main way protest footage reaches the outside world.Iranian authorities have also taken steps to locate terminals, particularly in high-risk areas, where satellite dishes and equipment may draw attention.
The ‘cat and mouse’ battle: Jamming vs software updates
One reason Starlink remains relevant is that disruption does not always stay permanent.Starlink has tried to counter jamming through technical adjustments, including software updates designed to reduce interference. The result is an ongoing “cat and mouse” dynamic. Conditions can improve, then worsen again, depending on how aggressively interference is deployed and how quickly workarounds are introduced.For many users on the ground, it becomes a question of whether the connection works long enough to send out key information.
The legal risk inside Iran is getting harsher
For users, the danger is not only technical.Iran has moved toward harsher legal penalties connected to Starlink access, including proposals and laws framing possession as a serious offence tied to national security. Reports have said penalties could reach as high as 10 years in prison, adding another layer of risk for anyone using or transporting terminals.
Why the US sanctions question matters
For years, one obstacle to satellite-based access in Iran was not only Tehran’s laws, but also sanctions compliance.In 2022, the US expanded authorisation for certain communication services, software and hardware intended to support internet freedom for Iranians. The shift helped reduce restrictions on tools designed to keep people connected during crackdowns and shutdowns.
Iran took Starlink to the UN telecom system
Iran has also tried to push back through international channels.Tehran has raised the issue within the UN’s telecommunications system, arguing that Starlink is operating without permission inside Iranian territory. The dispute highlights a key challenge for regulators: portable terminals and satellite coverage make enforcement difficult, even when governments object.
Trump and Musk are now part of the story
Starlink’s role in Iran’s protests has also expanded into political headlines.Recent reporting has said President Donald Trump discussed Iran’s blackout and spoke with Elon Musk about restoring or strengthening Starlink connectivity. Musk has signalled that engineers were working on ways to counter interference and keep access available.
The bigger picture: The internet has become a protest battleground
Iran’s internet shutdown strategy is not only about censorship. It is about control.When access collapses, protests become harder to coordinate and harder to document. When Starlink works, even partially, it helps protesters bypass restrictions and keep information flowing.That is why Starlink has become more than a service during Iran’s unrest. It is a contested lifeline, shaped by jamming, underground networks, international disputes, and the growing reality that modern protest movements depend as much on connectivity as they do on crowds in the street.
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