NYT: Iran uses military-grade jamming to cut Starlink during protests

Iranian authorities have escalated efforts to curb access to the internet during ongoing nationwide protests by deploying military-grade electronic systems aimed at disrupting Starlink satellite connections, according to digital rights researchers and activists.

The move targets the thousands of Starlink terminals smuggled into Iran by activists, engineers and developers, allowing citizens to bypass government-imposed internet blackouts, Caliber.Az reports, citing The New York Times.

These devices have been instrumental in sharing images of security forces firing on demonstrators and documenting the aftermath of clashes.

Experts said the Iranian government used electronic jamming technology typically seen only on battlefields, including Ukraine, to interfere with the GPS signals Starlink relies on. “This is rarely done outside of conflict zones,” said civil society groups monitoring the situation.

Since 2022, activists have smuggled approximately 50,000 Starlink terminals into Iran, aided by a US sanctions exemption permitting the provision of communications tools. Terminals are hidden on rooftops and in discreet locations, often shared among multiple users to expand coverage despite government attempts to locate and seize the devices.

While jamming efforts have disrupted some connections, the sheer number and distribution of Starlink units make a complete shutdown difficult. Analysts say authorities have focused on areas near major universities and urban centres, while also attempting to deter users by publicly confiscating terminals.

The digital blackout, which began on January 8, has left most of Iran’s 90 million population without internet, though Starlink has offered a lifeline for activists and some ordinary citizens. 

Observers warn that Iran’s actions reflect the increasing challenge governments face in enforcing national internet shutdowns in the age of satellite connectivity.

By Aghakazim Guliyev