Iran reportedly jams Starlink satellite internet in Tehran, hitting up to 80% packet loss and fueling speculation of Russian-supplied military equipment. Cybersecurity expert Amir Rashidi documented the interference through contacts experiencing severe connectivity drops during widespread protests.
This marks a significant escalation as the regime targets the last reliable communication channel after domestic internet shutdowns.
Jamming Targets Starlink’s Core Vulnerability
Starlink, operational in Iran since 2022 via US authorization, bypasses censorship through low-Earth orbit satellites—but requires precise GPS for ground stations to link with overhead birds. Iranian jamming overwhelms these signals, causing data packets to vanish mid-transmission. Rashidi likened it to Russia’s Ukraine efforts: “This isn’t normal blockage—it’s electronic warfare.”
Up to 100,000 dishes smuggled despite bans powered protest coordination and social media uploads. Recent disruptions—30% average, 80% peaks—severely hamper this lifeline.
Russian Tech Transfer Suspected
The sophisticated interference echoes Moscow’s Starlink countermeasures in Ukraine, suggesting Iran acquired high-power GPS/microwave jammers. Tight Tehran-Moscow military ties, including drones and missiles, make tech sharing plausible. Unlike basic censorship, this space-layer attack requires advanced electronic warfare capabilities.
NasNet, promoting Iranian Starlink access, reported improvements from 35% to 10% packet loss after SpaceX collaboration—yet warned of ongoing cat-and-mouse dynamics.
Protest Context Amplifies Stakes
Blackouts coincide with intensifying anti-regime demonstrations, where Starlink enabled real-time evidence sharing. Full internet cuts left satellite service as protesters’ sole outlet. Jamming costs Iran $1.56M hourly in economic damage while risking global backlash—Iran paradoxically lobbies ITU to ban Starlink regionally.
Strategic Cat-and-Mouse Battle
SpaceX continually updates anti-jamming protocols, forcing adversaries to adapt. Iran’s first-time Starlink shutdown demonstrates resolve to choke dissent at any price. Experts predict escalation: mobile jammers, frequency hopping, or denser deployments.
Key Questions Answered
How does jamming work? GPS signal overload prevents dishes linking to satellites.
Russian connection? Tactics mirror Ukraine; military cooperation likely.
Current status? Packet loss improved to ~10%, but volatile.
Q&A: Iran Starlink Crackdown
Q: Why Starlink specifically?
A: Protesters’ key tool for uncensored organizing post-internet blackout.
Q: Dishes numbers?
A: ~100K smuggled; illegal but widespread.
Q: SpaceX response?
A: Collaborating with activists; firmware counters jamming.
FAQ
First full shutdown?
Yes—January 11, 2026 marked historic Starlink blackout.
Economic fallout?
$1.56M/hour; mobile networks collateral damage.
Global reaction?
ITU previously condemned Iranian jamming.
Future-proofing?
SpaceX iterates defenses; Iran may escalate hardware.
