Secret Network Smuggles Starlink into Iran to Counter Internet Blackouts

Sahand, an Iranian man speaking from outside his home country, cautiously reveals his involvement in a clandestine network dedicated to smuggling satellite internet technology into Iran. For Sahand, who uses a pseudonym to protect his family and contacts within Iran, the mission is clear: "If even one additional person can get online, I think that means success, and it's worth it." His concern is palpable, given that operating such technology is strictly illegal under Iranian law, and discovery could lead to severe repercussions for those he aims to help. For over two months, Iran has been plunged into a deep digital darkness, as the government enforces one of the longest recorded nationwide internet blackouts globally. This latest disruption began following US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28th. Prior to this, internet services had only been partially restored for a month after a previous digital shutdown in January, imposed during a brutal crackdown on widespread protests. Human rights organizations like HRANA report staggering figures, with over 6,500 protesters killed and 53,000 arrested during these periods. Officials justify these blackouts by citing national security concerns, aiming to prevent surveillance, espionage, and cyberattacks. The Starlink devices, developed by Elon Musk's SpaceX, are at the heart of Sahand's operation and represent one of the most reliable ways to circumvent Iran's internet blackouts. These flat, white terminals, paired with routers, provide internet access by connecting to SpaceX's satellite constellation, offering users a complete bypass of the stringent censorship imposed on Iran's local internet. Sahand, alongside others in his network, purchases these devices and orchestrates their complex cross-border smuggling. Since January, he estimates having sent around a dozen devices into Iran and is "actively looking for other ways to smuggle more." Human rights organization Witness estimated at least 50,000 Starlink devices were in Iran by January, a number activists believe has likely increased. However, the act of using, buying, or selling Starlink devices was criminalized last year, with penalties reaching up to two years in prison. Distributing or importing more than 10 devices can lead to a decade-long sentence. State-affiliated media have reported numerous arrests, including four individuals—two of whom were foreign nationals—detained last month for "importing satellite internet equipment," with some arrests also involving charges of possessing unlicensed weapons or sending information to the enemy. Despite these severe risks, a thriving underground market persists, exemplified by a public Persian-language Telegram channel called "NasNet," which a volunteer claims has facilitated the sale of approximately 5,000 Starlink devices over the past two and a half years. Iran has a long history of information control, from promoting anti-American and anti-Israeli narratives through state media to restricting coverage of state repression. The current internet system is described as "tiered," offering all Iranians access to a state-controlled local network for essential services and government media, but severely limiting or blocking access to global internet services like Instagram, Telegram, YouTube, and WhatsApp. While many previously used VPNs to bypass these restrictions, the current total blackouts mean only a select few officials and state-affiliated journalists with "white SIM cards" have unrestricted global access. Starlink's emergence, particularly after Elon Musk activated the service in 2022 following protests over Mahsa Amini's death, has provided a critical alternative. As authorities intensify their crackdown on Starlink, Sahand and his network advise users to combine satellite technology with VPNs for anonymity, though the cost remains prohibitive for many amid Iran's economic crisis. Sahand emphasizes that their operation is funded by Iranians abroad and others eager to help, explicitly stating they receive no state funding. The devices are strategically sent to individuals believed capable of sharing information internationally. "People need the internet to be able to share what's happening on the ground," Sahand asserts, believing these terminals should be in the hands of those who can truly effect change. Digital rights organizations estimate at least 100 arrests for Starlink possession, with Sahand confirming he knows of such cases. Yasmine, an Iranian-American, shared that a family member was arrested in Iran on espionage charges for possessing a Starlink device, underscoring the profound personal risks involved in this digital defiance.