Amid ongoing protests, Iran’s government has partially disabled Starlink satellite internet, using military-grade jammers to block connections across the country. Authorities claimed that regular internet services were restored, but satellite-based networks remained heavily restricted.
According to reports, Starlink’s uplink and downlink traffic initially faced a 30% disruption. Within hours, however, over 80% of Starlink traffic was affected, severely limiting access to the satellite internet service. Analysts say the scale of disruption is unprecedented compared to previous internet blackouts in Iran.
While Starlink users in Iran have increased in recent years, the government has never formally authorized the service. This makes the use of Starlink technically illegal under Iranian law. The blackout demonstrates the government’s growing control over both conventional and satellite-based communications.
Experts note that Starlink receivers rely on GPS signals to determine satellite positions. Reports indicate that Iran has been actively controlling GPS signals since June, following a 12-day conflict with Israel. By interfering with GPS navigation, authorities have effectively rendered Starlink unreliable across multiple regions.
Specialists in internet access and satellite communications have confirmed that Iran’s measures have severely disrupted Starlink connectivity. One technology expert, who has studied internet access for over two decades, described the blackout as unlike anything seen before. The method has been likened to a “patched, quilted blackout,” with some areas still partially functional while others experience total outages.
The disruption is having economic consequences as well. Analysts estimate that the blackout is causing Iran to lose approximately $1.5 million per hour due to reduced digital connectivity. The restrictions affect communications, online business, and other critical sectors that rely on reliable internet access.
This move comes amid wider efforts by the Iranian government to control information during mass protests. By targeting Starlink, authorities are expanding digital censorship beyond conventional internet networks to satellite-based platforms, highlighting the increasing sophistication of state-level internet control technologies.
Observers say the blackout underscores the vulnerability of satellite internet systems in regions where governments have access to military-grade signal interference tools. While Starlink has helped citizens circumvent traditional internet restrictions, Iran’s new measures demonstrate that even satellite networks are not immune to state intervention.
As the protests continue, the extent of the Starlink blackout and its impact on Iran’s economy and communication infrastructure remain significant concerns for technology experts and human rights observers.
The situation raises broader questions about internet freedom, government control, and the role of satellite networks in countries with heavy digital surveillance. Users within Iran face growing challenges in maintaining connectivity amid increasingly aggressive state interventions.