Israel-Iran war: Elon Musk’s Starlink provides internet to Iranians after country cuts off access amid conflict

This activation comes amidst widespread internet restrictions imposed by the Iranian government following a series of Israeli strikes on Iran’s military resources.

Starlink goes live in Iran

In a controversial move aimed at restoring internet access during widespread government-imposed blackouts, Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, confirmed the activation of Starlink satellite internet service for Iranians. This development comes as Iran faces ongoing protests and severe restrictions on internet and social media access.

This activation comes amidst widespread internet restrictions imposed by the Iranian government following a series of Israeli strikes on Iran’s military resources. Iran’s communications ministry confirmed on Friday that “temporary restrictions have been imposed on the country’s internet,” citing Israel’s recent wave of attacks. The ministry, in a statement carried by the ISNA news agency, added that these curbs will be lifted once normalcy returns.

Elon Musk, however, confirmed ia a social media post on X that Starlink has activated its satellite internet services in the country despite the ban. “The beams are on”, wrote Musk in a response to another post on X.

Starlink’s network, which uses low Earth orbit satellites, offers a way to provide internet access to remote areas or places where traditional communication systems are down. In the current situation, Starlink’s services will provide internet access to the Iranian community despite a blackout from the state-owned cellphone services.

The internet blackout unfolds as tensions between Iran and Israel escalate. Israel’s military stated on Saturday that its air force is “striking dozens of surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran,” following Tehran’s multiple missile barrages.