The United States has secretly supplied Starlink satellite communication systems to Iran amid widespread protests in the country. Operative Information Center-OMM reports that The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) published this information, citing its own sources.
According to the publication, after official Tehran cut off internet access to suppress unrest, the U.S. smuggled approximately 6,000 satellite internet kits into the country. This marks the first recorded instance of the U.S. directly sending Starlink equipment to Iran. The U.S. State Department reportedly purchased a total of nearly 7,000 terminals to assist opponents of the Iranian authorities. US President Donald Trump was aware of these deliveries, though it remains unclear whether he personally approved the plan. Previously, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that his department had created a significant foundation for the start of mass protests in Iran earlier this year.
The Starlink project, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX company, aims to provide high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of the world. In regions facing censorship or infrastructure damage, such satellite technology has become a critical tool for maintaining global connectivity. The deployment of such technology in restricted zones often involves complex logistical operations to bypass local telecommunications blocks and government surveillance, reflecting the growing role of private satellite networks in international geopolitical developments.
