Iran has taken the unprecedented step of deploying military jammers, effectively using a digital “kill switch” to shut down access to Starlink satellite internet within its borders, as per Forbes. This aggressive move is a game-changer because Starlink was supposed to be the ultimate Plan B for citizens, giving protesters and anti-regime activists vital connectivity when the government habitually pulls the domestic internet plug.
Initially, reports suggested about 30 percent of Starlink’s traffic, both uplink and downlink, was disrupted. However, that figure spiked quickly, rising to more than 80 percent within just a few hours. The sheer scale of Starlink deployment inside the country is notable. Tens of thousands of units are reportedly operating, which is far greater than during previous blackouts.
The regime is leveraging a technical weakness to execute this localized blackout. Starlink receivers rely on GPS to accurately locate and connect to the overhead satellites. Iran has been actively disrupting GPS signals ever since its 12-day conflict with Israel last June. This technique doesn’t create a uniform shutdown; instead, it results in a frustrating patchwork quilt of connectivity, with some high-profile areas experiencing near-total blackouts.
The Iranian government never actually authorized Starlink to function, so possessing and using the service is totally illegal
Tech experts are absolutely astonished by the level of technical suppression. Amir Rashidi of the Miaan Group stated that he has “never seen such a thing in my life” in his 20 years of research. Monitoring the sudden, dramatic drop in Starlink data packets strongly supports the reports coming from the ground that satellite connectivity has been severely affected.
This move underscores the desperation of the regime to crush dissent, but it is coming at a truly staggering price. Simon Migliano, who compiled a report on recent internet shutdowns, noted that while the current nationwide blackout is a blunt instrument intended to crush protests, the financial cost is immense. This “kill switch” approach is draining $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every single hour the internet is down.
The national blackout has already stretched past the 60-hour mark. Connectivity levels across the country continue to flatline, hovering around just one percent of ordinary levels. When you look at the total duration of the shutdown combined with the hourly economic devastation, you realize just how unsustainable this level of control is. They are literally bleeding money to keep their citizens quiet.
It’s clear that while the regime can deploy sophisticated military jammers, they’re paying a massive penalty for trying to silence tens of thousands of Starlink users. The free Starlink rollout to Venezuela, on the other hand, has been operating smoothly.
Published: Jan 12, 2026 03:00 pm