Trump’s desire to send Starlink to Iran, meeting with Musk

Amid ongoing unrest in Iran, former US President Donald Trump has expressed his intention to send Starlink satellite internet services to the country in a bid to restore connectivity. Trump indicated that he plans to discuss the matter directly with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

Since Thursday, 8 January, much of Iran has been cut off from the internet, leaving citizens largely unable to communicate or access online information. The internet blackout has coincided with widespread protests that began in late December, initially triggered by soaring fuel and commodity prices. The demonstrations quickly escalated into large-scale anti-government protests, drawing international attention.

Speaking to reporters on Sunday, 11 January, Trump stated:
“If it is possible, we will try to get the internet back up. Elon is very skilled at these kinds of operations. I will call him right after speaking to you.”

The Iranian government has attributed the unrest to foreign interference, accusing the United States and Israel of fomenting the protests. Meanwhile, the internet shutdown has made it increasingly difficult to verify reports coming from inside the country, raising concerns among human rights organisations and international observers.

Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, has previously been deployed in areas affected by natural disasters or government-imposed internet restrictions, providing crucial connectivity where conventional infrastructure is unavailable or disrupted. Its potential deployment in Iran could offer a lifeline for citizens seeking communication during the ongoing crisis.

The timeline of recent events in Iran is summarised below:

Analysts have noted that providing Starlink access in Iran would face significant technical and political challenges, including potential government resistance and satellite coverage logistics. Nevertheless, such a move would mark an unprecedented instance of a private company potentially circumventing national internet controls at the request of a foreign leader.

With the situation in Iran evolving rapidly, international attention remains focused on both the scale of the protests and the ongoing debate over internet freedom in countries experiencing political unrest.