Elon Musk’s Starlink is facing its toughest security challenge yet as Iran intensifies its crackdown on dissidents. The satellite service, which became a vital lifeline during the Ukraine war, is now being used by Iranians to bypass state-imposed internet blackouts.
This week, SpaceX made Starlink free for Iranians, pitting U.S. engineers against Tehran’s sophisticated satellite jammers and signal-spoofing tactics. The outcome is being closely monitored by global intelligence agencies and rival nations like China.
Despite being banned in Iran, thousands of smuggled Starlink terminals are helping protesters document a violent crackdown. Amnesty International has verified dozens of videos of protesters killed or injured, noting that almost all were transmitted via Starlink.
Tehran has admitted to cutting off traditional internet services, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi claiming the move was necessary to confront "terrorist operations."
Starlink’s network of roughly 10,000 low-orbiting satellites makes it significantly harder to disrupt than traditional cable or cell tower networks. However, Iranian authorities are reportedly using satellite Jammers to block signals from reaching terminals, GPS Spoofing for broadcasting fake signals to confuse terminals, which can slow speeds to the point that video calls become impossible.
Iran has attempted to block the service through diplomatic channels at the United Nations, claiming Starlink’s use is illegal. Meanwhile, SpaceX is using the situation as a high-profile showcase of the system's resilience as it weighs a public listing later this year.
"Repressive regimes think they can still turn off communications," said John Plumb, former Pentagon space policy chief. "But the day is coming where that's just not possible."
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