Distress in the Tehran regime ahead of renewed protests? Senior Iranian official warns

Iran's Deputy Minister of Communications, Hakimi, warns that the expansion of satellite internet use, particularly Starlink, could undermine the regime's ability to control the online space and help suppress protests. Authorities have increased enforcement, but he questions its effectiveness.

Iran's Deputy Minister of Communications, Hakimi, issued an unusual warning that the expansion of satellite internet use, especially Starlink, could lead to a loss of regime control over the online space. This comes amid the importance of internet control for the regime in its struggle against local protests, including the widespread protests in January of this year. Hakimi noted that in the past, internet access was completely cut off during demonstrations. The difficulty arises because Starlink terminals connect directly to satellites and are not dependent on local infrastructure. He also warned about Direct-to-Cell technology, which could render monitoring measures ineffective. Meanwhile, authorities have stepped up enforcement: in four months, 997 Starlink devices were seized, 163 people were arrested, and 15 vehicles were confiscated. In 2025, Iran criminalized unauthorized use of such equipment. Despite the enforcement, Hakimi admitted that Starlink use has already expanded significantly and questioned the policy's ability to keep up with technological developments.