Iran's internet connectivity has been plagued by shutdowns since December 2025, but a smuggling network is keeping the country connected via Starlink devices. According to a BBC report, individuals like Sahand are sending Starlink devices to Iran, bypassing the internet shutdown.
The devices, which connect to a network of satellites owned by Elon Musk's SpaceX company, allow users to bypass Iran's heavily controlled domestic internet. There were approximately 50,000 Starlink devices in Iran in January, and the number is expected to have increased since then.
The internet shutdown has had a major impact on the Iranian economy, with estimates suggesting a daily loss of $80 million. The shutdown has also created a digital divide, with top government officials opposing the shutdown but being overruled by the security services.
