Amid one of the longest national internet shutdowns in history, imposed by Iranian authorities after US and Israeli airstrikes on February 28, a clandestine network is smuggling satellite internet terminals into the country. Speaking to the BBC, an Iranian man identified only as Sahand described his role in this risky operation.
Sahand claims he has sent over a dozen Starlink devices to Iran since January. The terminals, owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX, allow users to bypass Iran's heavily controlled domestic internet. However, their use is illegal in Iran, punishable by up to two years in prison for possession and up to 10 years for distributing more than 10 devices.
The current blackout followed a previous shutdown in January, imposed during a deadly crackdown on nationwide protests. According to the US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), over 6,500 protesters were killed and 53,000 arrested. Officials claim the internet was cut for security reasons, but rights groups call it a violation of human rights.
Despite the risks, demand for Starlink remains high. The human rights organization Witness estimated at least 50,000 terminals in Iran as of January, with activists suggesting the number has since grown. A Persian-language Telegram channel called NasNet has reportedly sold approximately 5,000 terminals over the past two and a half years.
The Iranian government has admitted the economic cost of the shutdown: a minister stated each day of blackout costs at least 50 trillion rials ($35 million). A scheme called "Internet Pro" has been launched to provide limited global internet access to certain businesses.
Sahand says his operation is funded by Iranians abroad and other supporters, not by any state. He emphasized the importance of internet access for documenting human rights abuses: "The Iranian regime has proven that during a shutdown, they can kill. It is super crucial for Iranians to be able to portray the real picture of the situation on the ground."
Digital rights group Access Now warns that internet blackouts are becoming a "new norm," with 313 shutdowns recorded across 52 countries in 2025. Roya Boroumand of the Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre for Human Rights noted that information vacuums allow states to broadcast propaganda while silencing victims and critics.
Source: www.bbc.com