Tehran has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a strict crackdown on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service, coupling the measure with further tightening of global internet controls as regional tensions persist alongside actions by the US and the Israeli regime. Starlink, which bypasses the heavy digital filtering enforced by the Iranian authorities, remains strictly outlawed on national security grounds.

The possession and utilization of Starlink terminals within the country carry severe legal consequences, including baseline prison sentences ranging from six months to two years. Meanwhile, the importation and distribution of the unauthorized hardware can lead to custodial sentences of up to five years, with potential escalation to the death penalty if linked to espionage or state security charges. Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, secretary of the Supreme National Cyberspace Council, allegedly characterized the technology as an instrument utilized by adversaries for command, control, and intelligence gathering.

Telecommunications experts indicate that Iranian authorities deploy a multi-layered approach to neutralize Starlink connections, incorporating variable-configuration signal jammers, GPS spoofing to impede device setup, and protocol identification checks. Law enforcement agencies also execute physical raids and drone-assisted patrols to locate and confiscate smuggled terminals. Despite these rigorous enforcement efforts, tens of thousands of units are believed to have entered the country illicitly since 2021.

In response to the growing proliferation of independent communication tools, officials continue to promote domestic platforms anchored by the National Information Network. Representatives from the technological sector have warned that if unfettered satellite connectivity becomes ubiquitous, state authorities might eventually be compelled to implement even more drastic measures, such as deliberate power grid shutdowns during periods of national crisis.

Source: www.aljazeera.com