Iranians Smuggle Starlink Terminals to Break Two-Month Internet Blackout
Tehran, 3 May 2026
Iran’s unprecedented two-month internet shutdown has sparked an underground resistance movement smuggling satellite technology across borders. With an estimated 50,000 Starlink terminals already in the country, citizens risk up to 10 years imprisonment to maintain digital connectivity and document government crackdowns that have killed over 6,500 protesters.
Digital Resistance Networks Operating Across Borders
A sophisticated underground network is smuggling Starlink satellite internet terminals across Iran’s borders in what organisers describe as a ‘very complex operation’ [1]. The operation, led by individuals like ‘Sahand’ who has sent a dozen terminals to Iran since January 2026, represents a direct challenge to the government’s digital censorship efforts [1]. ‘If even one extra person is able to access the internet, I think it’s successful and it’s worth it,’ Sahand explained, highlighting the determination driving these efforts [1]. The scale of the smuggling operation is substantial, with estimates suggesting at least 50,000 Starlink terminals were already in the country as of January 2026 [1].
Government Crackdown Intensifies Digital Restrictions
The current internet blackout commenced on 28 February 2026 following airstrikes by the United States and Israel, marking the latest escalation in Iran’s digital censorship campaign [1]. This shutdown followed a brief one-month restoration of partial internet access after a previous blackout in January 2026, which occurred during a government crackdown on protests that resulted in over 6,500 deaths and 53,000 arrests according to HRANA data [1]. The Iranian government has significantly strengthened its legal framework against satellite internet access, making the use, purchase, or sale of Starlink devices punishable by up to two years in prison, with sentences extending to 10 years for those distributing or importing more than 10 devices [1]. This legal escalation occurred in 2025, demonstrating the government’s proactive approach to preventing digital resistance [1].
Economic Impact and Business Connectivity Measures
The prolonged internet shutdown imposes substantial economic costs, with an Iranian minister stating in January 2026 that each day of digital blackout costs the economy at least 50 trillion rials, equivalent to approximately £28 million or $35 million [1]. In response to business pressures, the Iranian government has launched ‘Internet Pro’, a selective programme providing certain businesses with internet access during the crisis [1]. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mohajerani described this initiative as necessary ‘to maintain business connectivity during the crisis’ whilst expressing opposition to ‘communication injustice’ [1]. However, this selective approach maintains the broader digital blackout affecting ordinary citizens whilst protecting commercial interests deemed essential by the authorities [1].
Human Rights Concerns and International Context
The timing of Iran’s digital restrictions coincides with World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2026, highlighting the stark contrast between international advocacy for press freedom and Iran’s censorship practices [1]. Human rights organisations strongly condemn these measures, with Marwa Fatafta, regional policy and advocacy director at Access Now, stating that ‘communications blackouts are a clear violation of human rights and they can never be justified’ [1]. The strategic use of internet shutdowns extends beyond mere censorship, as Roya Boroumand, executive director for the Abdorrahman Boroumand Centre for Human Rights, explains that it ‘allows the state to broadcast its narrative, ie portray protesters as violent actors or foreign agents, while its victims, including those sentenced to death, and informed sources are silenced’ [1]. Iran’s digital restrictions occur within a global pattern of increasing internet censorship, with Access Now reporting 313 internet blackouts across 52 countries in 2025 [1]. The underground distribution of satellite internet technology continues despite the risks, with approximately 5,000 Starlink terminals sold through the NasNet Telegram channel over the past two and a half years [1]. As Sahand emphasises, ‘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’ [1].