Iran may nix Starlink internet unless SpaceX heeds rules, ex-official says

A former Iranian official said Tehran could disrupt the Starlink satellite internet service if Elon Musk's SpaceX refuses to adhere to unspecified regulations, in another sign of official wariness of unfettered internet access for its citizens.

"SpaceX must comply with Iran's regulations, otherwise the Islamic Republic could disrupt its coverage," said Amir Mohammadzadeh Lajevardi, the former deputy minister for Information and Communication Technology.

Lajevardi, who is considered close to current thinking and decision-makers, made the remarks in an interview with the state television.

The remarks come after the Supreme Council of Cyberspace announced Iran would lift restrictions on some digital platforms like WhatsApp and Google Play while maintaining control on others.

Iranians who face some of the world's toughest internet restrictions have in recent months shared videos and photos of Starlink satellite internet terminals being installed on rooftops, raising expectations that this technology could soon render the government’s internet filtering efforts ineffective.

"In the two years since Washington green lit SpaceX’s satellite internet service," Forbes reported earlier this month, "an underground worldwide network of smuggling and advocacy has brought uncensored internet to thousands of people in the Islamic Republic."

The availability of Starlink is seen by many as a potential game-changer for bypassing state-imposed online restrictions, allowing greater access to unfiltered internet in Iran.

In October 2023, Iran's Ministry of Telecommunications demanded that SpaceX obtain licensing for Starlink operations and filed a complaint with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) over unauthorized use in Iran, which resulted in a ruling in Iran's favor.

While over 60 countries have approved Starlink services, Iran is likely to demand access to user data—a request SpaceX would almost certainly reject.

The terminals typically cost around $500, depending on the model, with a monthly subscription fee of $110. However, in the Iranian market, prices are significantly higher, reaching up to three times the standard cost.

Those found using Starlink in Iran risk prosecution for possessing smuggled goods.

In November 2023, Iranian security forces confiscated 22 Starlink terminals, claiming they were CIA property intended for use by the office of dissident Sunni cleric Abdolhamid Esmail-Zehi.