US smuggled 6,000 Starlink terminals into Iran in January – Report
With Agencies
Tehran has accused Washington of inciting the protests, a charge the United States denies. During the unrest, Trump publicly encouraged demonstrators to continue their protests, stating that “help is on its way.”
The United States covertly smuggled approximately 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran in January following nationwide protests, according to media reports published Thursday citing US officials.
The operation marked the first time Washington directly facilitated the transfer of systems into the country. The shipments reportedly came after Iranian authorities imposed a sweeping internet shutdown during unrest fueled by economic hardship and sharp currency depreciation.
Officials told media outlets that they purchased nearly 7,000 terminals in recent months — most of them in January — after senior figures decided to redirect funding from existing internet-freedom programs inside Iran to acquire the satellite systems.
According to the report, President Trump was aware of the deliveries, although it remains unclear whether he personally approved the initiative. The White House declined to comment.
Tehran has accused Washington of inciting the protests, a charge the United States denies. During the unrest, Trump publicly encouraged demonstrators to continue their protests, stating that “help is on its way.”
Possession of Starlink terminals is illegal in Iran and can carry multi-year prison sentences. Despite this, analysts and activists estimate that tens of thousands of Iranians use the systems to circumvent state-imposed internet restrictions and access outside information.
State Department data indicate that around 30 million Iranians used US-funded virtual private network (VPN) services during protests in 2022. During a 12-day conflict last June — when Iran imposed a near-total internet blackout following US and Israeli strikes — officials estimated that roughly 20% of the population retained limited online access through US-supported VPNs, the report said.
A State Department official said the agency supports a range of technologies to help Iranians stay connected and is working with international partners to expand those capabilities.
