Users of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in Iran were able to access the web without paying on Tuesday, even as the country faced an almost complete communications shutdown imposed by authorities, according to digital rights organisations monitoring connectivity in the region.
A US-based nonprofit that works to keep Iranians online said SpaceX, Starlink’s parent company, temporarily removed service charges, allowing people to reconnect during a period marked by mass protests and heavy restrictions on information flow. While the claim could not be independently verified by The New York Times, it has added to growing attention on Starlink’s expanding role in politically sensitive regions.
⚡️BREAKING
Iran has just announced the seizure of a huge shipment of Starlink
Since June 2025, possession of Starlink in Iran has been subject to espionage laws pic.twitter.com/zDgHz8Kxgv
— Iran Observer (@IranObserver0) January 13, 2026
Free Access Reported During Communications Shutdown
Holistic Resilience, an organisation that supports internet access in Iran, said people on the ground reported that they were able to connect to Starlink without being charged on Tuesday morning. Ahmad Ahmadian, the group’s executive director, stated that the satellite service appeared to have waived its usual fees, giving users a rare digital lifeline as conventional networks went dark.
Iran has been under a near-total communications blackout following renewed protests. Authorities have restricted mobile and broadband services, reportedly to prevent the sharing of information and online coordination. Eyewitness accounts have described security forces opening fire on unarmed protesters, though official figures on casualties remain unavailable.
🚨 IRAN | TEHRAN FLOODS THE STREETS
Huge crowds are pouring into the streets of Tehran.
While the IRGC goes door to door hunting for Starlink hardware, the world is still seeing historic, defiant images coming out of Iran.
Most striking of all: the protests are growing larger… pic.twitter.com/gzYCNud4PU
— Mossad Commentary (@MOSSADil) January 13, 2026
SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk in 2002, did not respond to requests for comment. Bloomberg had earlier reported that the company was offering free Starlink access in Iran, reinforcing claims that satellite connectivity was being eased during the crisis.
Starlink’s Growing Geopolitical Footprint
Starlink has increasingly emerged as a critical internet source in conflict zones, disaster-hit regions and remote locations where traditional networks fail. The service relies on a vast constellation of satellites that transmit high-speed internet directly to user terminals on the ground. Its use by Ukrainian forces during the war with Russia has already highlighted its strategic significance.
Mr Musk’s control over when and where Starlink is activated has elevated his influence in global affairs, making him a powerful and at times unpredictable figure in geopolitics.
Tensions With Tehran and Signal Jamming Claims
Iranian authorities have previously expressed unease over Starlink’s presence. When protests erupted in 2022, Mr Musk made the service available in the country, prompting accusations from Tehran that SpaceX was infringing on its sovereignty.
Ahmadian said Iran had banned Starlink terminals and passed a law in October that imposed severe penalties, including death, for using the service. He added that officials have recently appeared to attempt signal jamming to disrupt satellite connections.
Amir Rashidi, director of digital rights and security at the Miaan Group, said Iranian Starlink users received a software update on Tuesday that strengthened signals to bypass government interference.
SpaceX’s Soaring Valuation
Starlink has also become a major revenue driver for SpaceX. The company recently offered to buy insider shares in a transaction that would value it at about $800 billion, positioning it among the world’s most valuable private firms.
SpaceX has told shareholders it is preparing for a public listing, underlining the commercial scale behind a service now deeply entwined with global political flashpoints.
