Iran Bans Starlink to Curb ‘Foreign Influence’ and Underground Internet Use

Iran has officially banned Starlink, the satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, citing national security concerns and the need to prevent foreign influence. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology has criminalized the use, sale, or possession of Starlink equipment, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment and even flogging.

Authorities claim the ban is necessary to curb unregulated internet access, which they allege was exploited during wartime blackouts to bypass censorship and potentially facilitate espionage. Human rights groups, however, argue the MOVE exacerbates digital repression, further isolating Iranian citizens from global communication networks.

Underground Starlink terminals have reportedly proliferated in both urban and remote areas, often smuggled into the country, as Iranians seek alternatives to government-controlled internet services. The crackdown reflects Tehran's broader efforts to tighten its grip on information FLOW amid rising public frustration with censorship and connectivity disruptions.