The United States secretly delivered thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran during a period of nationwide unrest earlier this year, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. The operation, carried out amid sweeping internet blackouts imposed by Iranian authorities, has intensified debate over digital sovereignty and foreign involvement in domestic crises.
Covert Deliveries During Internet Blackouts
Citing US officials, the report states that nearly 7,000 Starlink terminals were purchased in recent months, with most delivered in January, at the height of anti-government protests. The terminals were reportedly funded through the US State Department, with money redirected from other internet-freedom initiatives, including virtual private network (VPN) services.
The unrest in Iran began in December as demonstrations over economic hardship but later escalated into widespread violence. Iranian authorities responded with a severe crackdown and imposed extensive restrictions on internet access in an effort to disrupt coordination among protesters.
According to Iranian officials, more than 3,000 people were killed during the clashes, including civilians, security personnel, and individuals the government described as “terrorists.” Tehran has consistently accused Washington and its allies of fomenting dissent — allegations the United States has denied.
Trump’s Public Support for Protesters
During the height of the unrest, US President Donald Trump publicly expressed support for Iranian protesters. In posts on social media, he encouraged demonstrators to continue protesting and said that “help is on its way.” However, no direct military intervention followed.
Officials quoted in the report said Trump was aware of the Starlink deliveries, though it remains unclear whether he personally approved the plan.
The reported operation has drawn renewed scrutiny because it appears to go beyond rhetorical support and into direct technological involvement inside Iran during a volatile period.
Why Starlink Matters
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, provides satellite-based internet connectivity that functions independently of a country’s domestic telecommunications infrastructure. Unlike traditional internet services, which rely on ground-based networks controlled by national authorities, Starlink terminals connect directly to satellites in low-Earth orbit.
In situations where governments shut down broadband and mobile networks, satellite internet can allow users to bypass restrictions and remain connected to the outside world.
In Iran, however, possession of an unauthorized Starlink terminal is illegal and may carry severe penalties. If thousands of terminals were indeed smuggled into the country, it would represent a significant breach of Tehran’s communication controls during a period of intense political instability.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials have repeatedly accused the United States of interfering in the country’s internal affairs. The reported satellite deliveries are likely to reinforce those claims in the eyes of Iranian authorities.
Nuclear Tensions in the Background
The reported operation comes against the backdrop of ongoing tensions between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program.
During his first term, Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and reimposed sweeping sanctions under a “maximum pressure” strategy.
Iranian officials argue that decades of US sanctions have contributed to economic deterioration and domestic instability. The United States, in turn, maintains that pressure is necessary to curb Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and regional activities.
The alleged Starlink operation suggests that technological tools may now complement traditional diplomatic and economic levers in the broader standoff.
Digital Sovereignty and Global Implications
Beyond the immediate Iran-US tensions, the report raises broader questions about digital sovereignty in an era of satellite connectivity.
If foreign governments can deploy independent communication infrastructure inside another country during unrest, it challenges traditional notions of state control over information space.
Supporters of internet-freedom initiatives argue that satellite connectivity helps citizens maintain access to information when governments impose blackouts. Critics contend that such actions can be interpreted as interference in domestic political affairs.
Several countries have already imposed restrictions or limitations on foreign satellite internet services, citing national security concerns. The growing availability of low-Earth orbit satellite networks means that connectivity is no longer fully dependent on national infrastructure — a development that could reshape how governments manage information flows.
A New Phase in Geopolitics
The alleged smuggling of thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran underscores how civilian technology has become deeply intertwined with geopolitics.
Satellite internet was originally developed to expand global connectivity, particularly in remote or underserved regions. However, in politically sensitive environments, it can also serve as a powerful tool that bypasses state controls.
Whether viewed as a measure to support internet freedom or as a form of foreign interference, the reported operation signals a shift in how technological capabilities intersect with political conflict.
As satellite networks continue to expand worldwide, governments may face increasing pressure to balance openness with security — and to reconsider how digital infrastructure fits into the broader landscape of national sovereignty and international relations.