The Trump administration covertly supplied approximately 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals to Iran during a period of widespread unrest earlier this year, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal. This action, substantiated by US officials, appears to confirm Iranian claims of foreign interference in the protests that swept the country.
The operation, which involved funding redirected from the State Department’s internet freedom programs, was initiated after Iranian authorities imposed a sweeping internet blackout in January, following a crackdown on demonstrations. While the precise level of President Trump’s direct approval remains unclear, officials confirmed he was aware of the deliveries.
Iranian officials have consistently blamed external actors, specifically the United States and Israel, for fueling the unrest, which began in December as protests over economic hardship but quickly escalated into widespread violence. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated last month that over 3,000 people had been killed during the unrest, including what he described as nearly 700 individuals identified as “terrorists,” alongside civilians and security personnel.
The reported covert operation highlights a deepening of US involvement in Iranian affairs. At the height of the protests, President Trump publicly encouraged Iranian demonstrators, urging them to “take over institutions” and promising that “help is on its way.” He also authorized the deployment of a significant US military presence to the region, raising concerns about potential military intervention.
The State Department has long supported various “internet freedom” tools aimed at circumventing censorship in Iran, including virtual private network (VPN) services. The purchase of the Starlink terminals reportedly involved redirecting funds from these existing VPN programs, which had previously enabled an estimated 20-30 million Iranians to access the internet during previous periods of unrest, including the 2022 riots and last year’s Israeli-US bombing campaign.
The move to provide Starlink terminals represents a shift in tactics, offering a more direct means of bypassing government-imposed internet restrictions. The terminals allow users to connect to the internet via satellite, circumventing the need for traditional internet service providers controlled by the Iranian government.
Moscow has characterized the US actions as an attempt to “destroy the Iranian state” through a “color revolution” strategy. Russia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that the situation in the Middle East remains alarming due to Washington’s military deployments and the potential for further escalation, stating that another military operation in the region “cannot be ruled out.”
Washington maintains that its policy towards Iran is focused on preventing the development of nuclear weapons and promoting regional stability. The US unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during the Trump administration, reimposing sanctions on Iran under a “maximum pressure” campaign. Iranian officials contend that decades of US economic pressure are the primary cause of the country’s economic difficulties, making Iran the second most sanctioned country in the world after Russia.
Amidst the unrest, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian accused the US and Israel of embedding “foreign terrorists” within protest crowds, alleging they employed tactics similar to those used by ISIS, including the beheading of law enforcement officers and the burning alive of civilians. An Iranian diplomatic source reportedly described these tactics to RT as “ISIS-like.”
The reported Starlink operation underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the Middle East and the ongoing struggle for influence between the United States, Iran, and regional powers. While the US government has publicly denied direct involvement in fomenting anti-government riots, the covert support for protesters through the provision of satellite internet access reveals a more nuanced and active role than previously acknowledged.
The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation. The US continues to pursue a policy of maximum pressure on Iran, while Tehran remains defiant and accuses Washington of destabilizing the region. The provision of Starlink terminals, while intended to support Iranian citizens seeking access to information, also carries the risk of further inflaming tensions and potentially provoking a more forceful response from the Iranian government.
