Iran Targets Starlink as Military Threat Amid Crackdown on Satellite Internet

• •Iran's government has intensified its crackdown on Starlink, seizing nearly 1,000 devices.
• •Starlink terminals are now considered potential military targets by Iranian officials.
• •The crackdown follows significant protests in January 2026, where Starlink usage increased.

Iran's Supreme Council of Cyberspace has labeled Starlink terminals as potential military targets, suggesting that their use could be deemed a tool of warfare. This statement follows a crackdown on Starlink usage, with authorities seizing nearly 1,000 devices and arresting over 160 individuals. The Iranian government has intensified its efforts to control internet access, particularly after widespread protests in January 2026, where it reportedly managed to disrupt Starlink operations. The crackdown is part of broader legislation criminalizing unlicensed satellite internet equipment, which carries severe penalties, including the death penalty for espionage-related activities. The Iranian authorities have portrayed the use of Starlink as a threat to national security, linking it to espionage and collaboration with hostile states. The situation remains tense as the government struggles to maintain control over cyberspace in the face of satellite internet technology.