Iranian authorities cautioned that using, owning, or distributing Starlink terminals violates wartime laws and may lead to harsh penalties.
Iranian authorities have reportedly seized hundreds of Starlink satellite internet systems, claiming the devices were smuggled into the country by the United States and Israel amid rising regional tensions.
Officials said the confiscated equipment is part of a broader foreign-backed effort to bypass government-controlled communications and undermine national security. The development comes as Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starlink network continues to be a point of controversy in Iran, where strict internet controls and periodic blackouts are enforced.
Authorities warned that using, possessing, or distributing Starlink terminals constitutes a criminal offense under wartime regulations and could carry severe penalties. They classified the devices as “anti-security” tools linked to espionage, particularly given ongoing hostilities involving Western powers. “Firm and uncompromising action” will be taken against anyone found with the equipment, officials said, as enforcement operations intensify nationwide.
While the exact number of recently seized devices was not disclosed, past operations have confiscated over 100 Starlink systems in coordinated raids targeting illegal communications networks. The crackdown forms part of Tehran’s broader effort to control information flow during unrest and conflict.
Reports indicate that thousands of Starlink terminals have been smuggled into Iran over recent years, allowing activists and civilians to bypass government censorship and communicate externally. Despite the ban, the service has grown in popularity due to its ability to operate independently of local telecommunications infrastructure.
Under Iranian law, individuals caught using or importing such equipment face prison sentences ranging from months to up to 10 years, depending on the scale and intent. In some cases, authorities equate Starlink usage with espionage, particularly when linked to foreign actors, potentially exposing offenders to harsher penalties.
The recent seizures underscore the growing intersection of technology, warfare, and information control, as satellite internet systems increasingly are seen both as strategic assets and security threats.