Iranian Envoy Claims Starlink Spread Disinformation During Protests

The Iranian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Jalil Rahimi Jahanabadi, has alleged that sophisticated satellite-based technologies such as Starlink were deliberately used to spread disinformation across Iran during recent protests, exacerbating unrest and contributing to widespread violence and loss of life. Speaking at a media briefing in Dhaka on Monday morning, the envoy claimed that external forces exploited public discontent and provided armed training to certain groups, turning protests into violent confrontations.

The remarks were made during an interactive session organised by the Iranian Embassy in Dhaka, where a select group of journalists were invited to discuss the ongoing situation in Iran. Ambassador Jahanabadi asserted that the scale and intensity of the unrest could not be explained by internal dynamics alone. Instead, he argued, it was the result of a carefully orchestrated campaign combining modern communication technology, foreign strategic guidance, and what he described as “manipulative propaganda”.

Starlink is a high-speed, satellite-based internet service operated by the US company SpaceX. The firm was founded by Elon Musk, one of the world’s most prominent technology entrepreneurs, who also serves as its Chief Executive Officer. According to the ambassador, the use of such satellite internet services allowed information to bypass Iran’s conventional communication infrastructure, enabling the rapid circulation of misleading narratives and inflammatory content.

“The initial attacks were carried out by armed insurgents targeting the police,” Ambassador Jahanabadi claimed. “These incidents were then seized upon by Western powers, who amplified them through extensive media and digital campaigns. The entire operation was conducted with American strategic planning and advisory support.” He maintained that this combination of violence on the ground and disinformation online created a cycle of escalation, leading to tragic fatalities during the protests.

When questioned about possible intelligence failures that might have allowed the unrest to escalate, the ambassador refrained from giving a direct response. However, he stated that Iran has since succeeded in curbing propaganda transmitted through foreign satellite channels and is gradually restoring control over the information space. He emphasised that the government considers the protection of national sovereignty in cyberspace to be as critical as physical security.

Despite repeated questions, Ambassador Jahanabadi did not provide a precise figure for the number of people killed during the protests. He noted only that the issue is under review and that the Iranian authorities are assessing the situation with what he described as “due seriousness and responsibility”.

Observers note that the ambassador’s comments reflect Tehran’s broader narrative that external interference, rather than domestic grievances alone, lies at the heart of recent unrest. The role of emerging technologies such as satellite internet has become an increasingly sensitive topic in global politics, particularly in countries where information control is closely tied to national security. The statements made in Dhaka are therefore likely to resonate beyond diplomatic circles, adding a new dimension to the international debate over technology, sovereignty, and political stability.

Key Points at a Glance

The ambassador’s remarks underscore Iran’s position that modern communication technologies, while powerful tools for connectivity, can also be weaponised in times of political instability—an argument that continues to divide opinion on the global stage.