Iran’s ongoing nationwide internet blackout has taken an unprecedented turn as authorities have reportedly begun disrupting Starlink satellite internet access using military grade jamming technology. This development marks a significant escalation in the state’s efforts to control digital communications, particularly as Starlink has increasingly served as an alternative connectivity option during periods when conventional internet services are restricted. According to multiple monitoring groups and media reports, the interference has extended beyond terrestrial networks, affecting satellite based connections relied upon by protesters and activists to stay online.
According to a report by Iran Wire, despite claims that tens of thousands of Starlink terminals are active inside Iran, satellite connectivity has now also been impacted. Initial disruptions reportedly affected around 30 percent of Starlink uplink and downlink traffic, with interference rapidly increasing to over 80 percent within hours. The Times of Israel reported that the number of Starlink receivers inside Iran is now far higher than during previous shutdowns, even though the service has never been authorized by the government and remains illegal to possess or operate. Starlink terminals rely on GPS signals to determine location and establish satellite connections, and Iran has been actively disrupting GPS signals since its 12 day conflict with Israel last June. As a result, the shutdown has not been uniform, producing localized outages and inconsistent connectivity across different regions.
Independent confirmation of the satellite interference has come from NetBlocks, which described the situation as a patchwork of limited access and near total blackouts in certain high profile areas. Alp Toker of NetBlocks told The Times of Israel that Starlink access is being jammed, although limited coverage remains available in some locations. Analysts suggest the disruption may be caused by targeted jamming of Starlink terminals, overpowering their ability to receive signals from orbiting satellites. Some social media users have suggested that changing specific settings within the Starlink application may help mitigate the interference, including enabling exclusive Starlink positioning options. Open Source Intel on X has circulated similar guidance among users attempting to restore access.
Speculation has also grown regarding the source of the jamming technology. Several reports suggest that Russian military systems supplied to Iran in recent months may be responsible for disrupting GPS and other satellite signals. Channel 4 News has described Russia’s actions as part of a technological contest with Starlink, noting the use of mobile units capable of generating radio noise to interfere with satellite communications. However, no official confirmation has been provided regarding the exact systems deployed. Amir Rashidi of the Miaan Group told TechRadar that in his two decades of monitoring internet access, he has never observed satellite connectivity being suppressed on this scale, with data packet analysis supporting reports of severe disruption.
The broader impact of the shutdown continues to mount. Simon Migliano, who recently completed a comprehensive study on global internet outages, described Iran’s current blackout as a sweeping measure aimed at suppressing dissent, carrying significant economic consequences. He estimated that the shutdown costs Iran approximately $1.56 million per hour in lost economic activity. NetBlocks reported on Monday evening that Iran had been largely offline for 96 hours, with fixed line internet, mobile data, and voice services disabled, and overall connectivity reduced by as much as 99 percent. Migliano noted that losses have already exceeded $130 million, underscoring the extent to which authorities are willing to absorb economic damage to maintain control. Starlink has been contacted for comment regarding the situation, but no response has been received so far.
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