Image: Starlink
Starlink has been blocked in Iran for the first time, marking a significant escalation in how the country is responding to ongoing anti-government protests and efforts to control the flow of information.
According to a Forbes report, Iran has deployed military-grade jamming technology to disrupt Starlink satellite internet access amid a nationwide digital blackout. While Iran has previously throttled or shut down traditional internet services, this is the first known instance of authorities actively targeting satellite-based connectivity, which has increasingly been viewed as a last-resort option for protesters and activists.
Despite estimates suggesting tens of thousands of Starlink terminals are operating inside Iran — even though the service is illegal to possess — reports indicate the blackout has now extended to satellite connections as well. Initial disruptions reportedly affected around 30% of Starlink’s uplink and downlink traffic, rapidly escalating to more than 80% within hours.
The Times of Israel noted that Starlink usage in Iran is believed to be far more widespread than during previous crackdowns. However, Iran’s recent efforts to disrupt GPS signals — a key component Starlink terminals rely on to connect to satellites — appear to have enabled localized shutdowns. The result has been a patchwork of connectivity across the country, with near-total blackouts in some high-profile areas.
Internet monitoring groups have described the move as unprecedented. The Miaan Group’s Amir Rashidi said he has never seen satellite connectivity disrupted at this scale, while NetBlocks reported that Iran’s broader internet blackout has dropped national connectivity to around just 1% of normal levels. Analysts estimate the shutdown is costing Iran roughly $1.56 million per hour in economic losses.
The situation has now drawn international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump said he plans to speak with Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran, praising Musk and SpaceX’s capabilities. Starlink has previously played a critical role in keeping regions online during crises, from Ukraine’s wartime communications to more recent efforts to maintain connectivity in Venezuela following a major U.S. military operation — not to mention natural disaster-hit regions worldwide.
As Iran tightens its grip on both terrestrial and satellite internet access, the move underscores just how central Starlink has become in modern information warfare — and how far governments may go to shut it down.
