Elon Musk Activates Starlink in Iran Amid Internet Outages and Rising Tensions with Israel
Taarek Refaat
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has activated Starlink satellite internet service in Iran, amid widespread internet outages across the country and escalating military tensions with Israel.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk confirmed that his company SpaceX had expanded Starlink's coverage to include Iran, stating that the move is aimed at providing 'free and uncensored access to the internet' during a period of regional instability.
'Starlink is now active in Iran,' Musk wrote. 'Our goal is to support connectivity and open communication when it is most needed.
Since late Saturday, large parts of Iran have experienced severe internet disruptions, raising suspicions of deliberate information blackouts during ongoing military operations. Technical monitoring groups reported near-total outages in several regions, including Tehran, Ahvaz, and Mashhad.
International human rights organizations have welcomed the Starlink activation, viewing it as a vital tool for maintaining digital access and freedom of expression in an increasingly restrictive environment. 'This could be a digital lifeline for millions of Iranians,' one advocacy group said.
However, the Iranian government has not yet issued an official response, though experts anticipate a strong reaction given that the activation likely bypassed Iranian regulatory approval.
This is not the first time Musk has sought to offer Starlink service to Iran. A similar offer was made in 2022, during a wave of domestic protests, but implementation was limited due to logistical and technical challenges.
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