U.S. Quietly Sends Thousands of Starlink Terminals Into Iran After Regime Crackdown

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The Trump administration covertly delivered roughly 6,000 Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following last month’s violent government crackdown on nationwide protests, according to U.S. officials cited in a Wall Street Journal exclusive.

The effort marked the first time Washington directly sent the Elon Musk-owned satellite systems into the Islamic Republic, aiming to keep anti-regime activists online after Tehran killed thousands of demonstrators and imposed sweeping internet blackouts.

Officials said the State Department had purchased nearly 7,000 Starlink terminals in recent months—most acquired in January—after senior administration officials redirected funding from other internet-freedom programs to secure the satellite kits. President Donald Trump was aware of the operation, though it remains unclear who directly approved the final plan.

Iranian authorities have repeatedly accused Washington of fueling unrest, allegations the United States has denied. However, the covert Starlink deliveries indicate the administration provided more tangible support to dissidents than previously disclosed.

Ownership of a Starlink terminal is illegal in Iran and can result in a multiyear prison sentence. Nevertheless, analysts estimate tens of thousands of Iranians already possess the devices, using them to bypass government censorship and maintain communication beyond state-controlled networks. Authorities reportedly search homes and rooftops to locate unauthorized terminals.

The operation unfolded as Washington and Tehran remain locked in high-stakes negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. The Trump administration has insisted on ending any pathway to a nuclear weapon, while Tehran refuses to abandon uranium enrichment it claims is for civilian purposes. Failure to reach an agreement could raise the prospect of U.S. military action, with American carrier strike groups already positioned in the region.

The issue has also sparked internal debate within the U.S. government. Some internet-freedom advocates argue virtual private networks (VPNs) are more cost-effective and safer for dissidents, warning that Starlink use without VPN protection could expose users to regime tracking. Funding for some VPN providers reportedly lapsed after money was redirected toward Starlink procurement.

Trump, who met this week with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington, has publicly expressed a preference for resolving the Iran nuclear dispute diplomatically, writing on Truth Social that he would prefer a deal but adding, “If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”

As tensions simmer between Washington and Tehran, the covert internet operation highlights a parallel digital battleground—one aimed at empowering ordinary Iranians seeking access to uncensored information amid tightening repression.

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