Elon Musk’s SpaceX has begun providing free access to its Starlink satellite internet service in Iran as the country’s authorities intensify a violent crackdown on anti-government protests and impose widespread internet restrictions. According to Ahmad Ahmadian, executive director of the technology nonprofit Holistic Resilience, Starlink accounts in Iran that were previously inactive are now online, with subscription fees waived. “It’s plug and connect … just put [the satellite terminal] somewhere that has access to a clear view of the sky, and you’re good to go,” Ahmadian told CNN. The development follows a reported phone call earlier this week between US President Donald Trump and Musk, during which Starlink access in Iran was discussed.
Human rights groups say the Iranian government has enforced one of its largest-ever digital blackouts while reportedly killing more than 1,800 protesters, a figure that may rise due to communication disruptions. Experts caution that while free Starlink access offers activists “the only way to get the information out,” it is likely to reach only a fraction of Iran’s 92 million people and can still be jammed by authorities. “Estimates say there are around 50,000 Starlink receivers in Iran,” said Mahsa Alimardani of Witness, adding that the connections provide “a small window” into the crackdown, even as users face severe risks, including prosecution, for operating the terminals.