On January 14, 2026, as Iranian authorities tighten control over internet access to quell public protests, billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company is providing free Starlink satellite services throughout Iran.
According to Bloomberg’s report on Tuesday, Ahmad Ahmadian, executive director of the organization “Holistic Resilience,” stated that SpaceX has waived subscription fees for Starlink within Iran, allowing users with Starlink receivers in Iran to access internet services without payment. The organization is dedicated to assisting Iranian people in securing internet access.
A source familiar with the operation of Starlink confirmed this free service but requested anonymity as the information has not been publicly disclosed. SpaceX has not commented on this matter.
With the Iranian government shutting down the internet and restricting phone services, individuals are heavily relying on Starlink services to share escalating protest activities and videos of the regime’s increasingly severe crackdown.
Due to the ban on Starlink services in Iran, all Starlink receivers must be smuggled into the country, often brought in by small boats from Dubai or smuggled across the border from Iraqi Kurdistan. Ahmadian estimates that there are over 50,000 smuggled Starlink receivers within Iran.
Amir Rashidi, digital rights director of the human rights advocacy group Miaan, confirmed that Starlink internet services can now be freely used in Iran.
Mehdi Yahyanejad, co-founder and director of the organization NetFreedom Pioneers in the United States, told The Wall Street Journal that despite the Iranian government’s attempts to disrupt Starlink services, it has not completely halted operations. The organization is committed to helping people in authoritarian countries access the internet.
Yahyanejad mentioned that once Iranian users have a stable internet connection, they will transmit videos as much as possible.
Official Iranian media IRIB stated on Tuesday that authorities had seized “a large number of electronic devices used for spying and sabotage activities.” From the videos, some items appeared to be Starlink receivers.
According to Hua Ri, individuals, including diplomats, who are still able to access the internet, state that only Iran’s government itself, its media institutions, and regime loyalists registered on “white-listed” internet addresses are allowed to be online.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Starlink has been providing internet communication services to Ukrainian citizens and their military. In January 2026, following the US government’s arrest of Venezuelan President Maduro, Starlink announced it would offer free broadband services to Venezuelan citizens until February 3.
In the past week, domestic unrest in Iran escalated sharply due to economic issues, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets, calling for the overthrow of Supreme Leader Khamenei. Activist groups have warned that in over two weeks of ongoing violent unrest, there may have been deaths ranging from thousands to over ten thousand.
According to the organization NetBlocks monitoring network connections, internet shutdowns have been ongoing nationwide in Iran for five days, leaving millions unable to access internet services.