Iran claims successful disruption of Starlink terminals

Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, head of Iran’s National Cyber Space Center, announced that Iranian authorities successfully disabled Starlink terminals during the internet blackouts that occurred during the January protests. While the specific technology used to disrupt the satellite service was not disclosed, Aghamiri stated that Iran possesses the tools to counter satellite internet services.

He further asserted that if satellite internet infrastructure is utilized as a tool of warfare, it could be considered a legitimate military target. The disruption of Starlink, a service operated by SpaceX, occurred as the Iranian government implemented widespread internet shutdowns to restrict the flow of information regarding domestic demonstrations and security crackdowns.

Although Starlink has served as a critical alternative for connectivity during periods of censorship, experts had previously noted that the service faced significant signal jamming within the country. The Iranian government maintains some of the world’s strictest internet regulations, frequently blocking major global platforms.