Musk launches Starlink over Iran to bypass internet shutdown

US billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has announced that the Starlink satellite communication system has been activated over Iran, following widespread internet outages imposed by the Iranian government.

“The beams are on,” Musk wrote on X, signaling that Starlink terminals can now access satellite internet coverage within Iranian territory, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media. 

The move comes in response to Tehran’s decision to restrict online access after a series of Israeli airstrikes targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. In a statement, Iran’s Communications Ministry confirmed that “temporary restrictions have been imposed on the country’s internet” due to the unfolding situation. The measure has effectively cut off millions of Iranians from global news sources and social media platforms.

On June 13, Israel launched a large-scale airstrike targeting over 100 sites across Iran, including key nuclear and missile facilities in Tehran, Natanz, Ahvaz, and East Azerbaijan Province. The operation involved around 200 aircraft and more than 330 precision-guided munitions, aiming to halt Iran’s nuclear weapons development and eliminate senior IRGC commanders and scientists.

Israeli leaders described the strikes as a preemptive move against existential threats from Iran. Tehran blamed Israel and the US for the attack and vowed strong retaliation, launching over 100 drones towards Israel and closing its airspace.

By Naila Huseynova