With the recent Israeli attacks on Iran, the Iranian government has imposed new restrictions on internet access in the country, which is already one of the most heavily controlled in the world
In response to a request to release the use of Starlink, the satellite internet service, as a way to “deal the final blow to the Iranian regime”, Elon Musk confirmed that the service is active in Iran.
In the country, there is a black market for Starlink terminals, with prices much higher than in the United States.
On Friday, after Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities and eliminated important leaders of the country, Iran restricted internet access.
The Iranian Ministry of Communications reported that the “competent authorities” approved these temporary restrictions, and citizens reported difficulties in accessing the internet.
Iran’s attorney general had previously threatened to take legal action against media outlets and social media users for content that “harms the psychological security of society”.
God bless you, Elon. The Starlink beams are on in Iran! pic.twitter.com/xCslvwCeiF
? Mark R. Levin (@marklevinshow) June 14, 2025
Iran is one of the countries with the most control over the internet in the world.
The Apple and Google app stores, as well as platforms like Instagram and Slack, are blocked by the government.
People are often arrested for posting content considered “anti-Islamic” or critical of the regime.
Now, billionaire Elon Musk has confirmed that Starlink, his company SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is operating in Iran.
In response to a post that said: “Elon Musk could deliver the final blow to the Iranian regime by providing Starlink internet to the Iranian people.
Iran has cut off the internet to prevent people from communicating and organizing an uprising,” Musk replied: “The beams are on,” indicating that the satellite service already covers Iran.
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? Reza Pahlavi (@PahlaviReza) June 14, 2025
“”””? “”””? “? “”””? – “”””””””””””? “”? “? “”””? “””””. pic.twitter.com/ybJbqCNdTy
Starlink is a SpaceX project that offers fast internet through satellites.
Users buy an antenna and equipment to connect.
The project’s goal is to provide internet to almost the entire planet, using a network of around 42,000 satellites.
Although the use of Starlink is banned in Iran, it began to be used in the country in 2022, following protests over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died after being detained for “inappropriate clothing” (not wearing a hijab).
At the time, the government tried to contain the protests by cutting off the internet, as it had done before.
In the following months, hundreds of Starlink terminals were smuggled into Iran, and the use of the service grew.
According to Forbes magazine, there is a black market for Starlink terminals, even with the risk of fines and arrests.
“””””””? “””””””? “”””.
? “”””? “”””? (@iran_news9) June 14, 2025
“”””? “”””: “”””? “””””””? “”””? “”””””.
“””? “? “””? “? “”? “”””? “? “? “”? “””? “””””? “”””? “”””””””? “? “”””? “””””? “”””? “””””? “? “”””? “””””””, “”? “”””? “”””? “”? “”””””? “”””? “””””
“? “”””””””? “”””””? “? “””? “””””? “”? “”””? “””””? pic.twitter.com/X7370x74Xj
Activists are trying to make internet access easier for the population.
It is estimated that around 20,000 people in Iran use Starlink, taking advantage of a fast connection that is almost impossible to block or censor.
However, this represents a small fraction of Iran’s 89 million people.
In addition, high prices limit access to those with more financial resources.
On the black market, a Starlink terminal costs between $700 and $2,000, while in the United States the official price is $250.
The service also requires a monthly fee of $70, but due to US sanctions on Iranian banks, payment is complicated and involves the use of cryptocurrencies and prepaid credit cards.
In addition, there is a one-time fee of $200 to activate the service outside the registered region.
Published in 06/14/2025 17h43
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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