Starlink vs. Iran: Satellite Internet Becomes New Battlefield Amid Protests

• Iran's regime faces widespread protests and economic unrest, leading to communication shutdowns.
• Elon Musk's Starlink offers satellite internet, bypassing government restrictions due to its independence from physical infrastructure.
• Despite Starlink being banned, thousands of terminals were smuggled into Iran, providing connectivity during crackdowns.
• Iran launched an unprecedented cyber-offensive, using military-grade jamming to disrupt Starlink signals, affecting over 80% of traffic at its peak.
• Experts state that a nationwide blockade of satellite internet is nearly impossible due to the vast number of transmitters required and Starlink's advanced anti-jamming updates.

Why It Matters: Satellite internet, particularly Starlink, has emerged as a critical tool in Iran's protest landscape, challenging state control.