Iranians Turn to Starlink to Bypass Internet Blackout as Protests Intensify

As Iran’s authorities tightened a nationwide internet blackout amid escalating anti-government protests, some Iranians have turned to satellite technology to stay connected with the outside world. Despite the risks involved, smuggled terminals linked to Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, are being used by a small number of people to circumvent state-imposed communication restrictions.

According to three individuals inside Iran, access to Starlink has provided a rare digital lifeline as conventional internet and mobile networks have been disrupted or shut down entirely. The blackouts are part of a broader effort by Iranian authorities to limit coordination among protesters and restrict the flow of information abroad, particularly images and videos documenting unrest and security force responses.

The use of Starlink in Iran highlights how satellite-based connectivity is increasingly reshaping the balance between state control and individual access to information. Unlike traditional internet services, which rely on local infrastructure that governments can easily shut down, satellite connections operate independently of national networks. This makes them attractive in crisis situations, but also places users at significant personal risk.

Starlink terminals are illegal in Iran, and possession can carry severe consequences. The equipment is bulky and difficult to conceal, requiring a clear line of sight to the sky, which increases the danger of detection. Users say terminals are often shared among trusted networks, turned on briefly to transmit messages or upload content before being powered down again to reduce the risk of being traced.

The death toll from the protests has continued to rise, with reports of hundreds or possibly thousands killed as demonstrations driven by economic hardship and political repression spread across multiple cities. Against this backdrop, access to outside communication has taken on heightened importance for activists, journalists, and ordinary citizens seeking to alert the world to conditions on the ground.

Starlink has previously been used in other geopolitical flashpoints where governments imposed internet shutdowns. In Ukraine, the service played a crucial role in maintaining communications after Russian attacks on infrastructure. Its appearance in Iran underscores how rapidly such technologies are becoming tools in modern political संघर्षs, even in countries with strict controls over information.

The Iranian government has repeatedly warned against the use of unauthorized communication tools, framing them as instruments of foreign interference. Officials argue that internet restrictions are necessary to maintain public order and national security. Critics counter that shutdowns primarily serve to shield authorities from scrutiny and suppress dissent.

For those using Starlink, the decision is often driven by desperation rather than ideology. Users describe the fear of being cut off from family members, news, and emergency information as overwhelming. Satellite internet, even if slow and intermittent, offers a sense of connection in an environment where digital silence has become a form of control.

Analysts say the spread of satellite connectivity poses a growing challenge for governments that rely on internet shutdowns as a security measure. While access remains limited and risky, the technology weakens the effectiveness of blackouts and complicates efforts to fully isolate populations during periods of unrest.

As protests continue and pressure on Iran’s leadership mounts, the quiet use of Starlink reflects a broader shift in how technology intersects with politics. For a small number of Iranians, pointing a satellite dish toward the sky has become an act of resilience, carried out under the constant threat of punishment, in the hope that their voices can still be heard beyond the blackout.