Wall Street Journal: US sent thousands of Starlink terminals to Iran amid protests

The Trump administration secretly shipped thousands of Starlink terminals to Iran following Tehran's crackdown on protesters last month, U.S. officials revealed to the Wall Street Journal.

The goal, sources specify, was to keep dissidents online after Tehran blocked internet access. The US operation began after Iranian authorities crushed growing protests in January, killing thousands of demonstrators and drastically reducing internet connectivity. At that point, the United States smuggled approximately 6 satellite internet kits into the country.

The State Department had purchased nearly 7 Starlink terminals in previous months to help anti-regime activists circumvent internet blackouts in Iran, officials said. They also said President Donald Trump was aware of the deliveries. Over the past month, Tehran has repeatedly accused Washington of playing a role in fueling popular dissent and organizing nationwide demonstrations, while the United States has consistently denied any involvement.