AP explains how Musk’s free Starlink access is a game-changer for Iranian protesters

Описание: (14 Jan 2026)

FOR CLEAN VERSION SEE STORY NUMBER: 4630257

RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dubai, United Arab Emirates - 14 January 2026
1. SOUNDBITE (English) Philip Crowther, The Associated Press: ++PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOTS 2 TO 10++
"These devices are illegal in Iran. They have been the only way for Iranians to get information, photos and videos out of their country for days. This is a Starlink receiver, and tens of thousands of them are believed to have been smuggled into Iran since 2022. Activists say images of rows of bodies at a forensic medical center in Tehran, for example, came out because of these receivers. And they now say that SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service is dropping its fees. This will allow more people to circumvent Tehran's strongest attempt ever to stop information from spilling outside its borders. Now, the decision by the American aerospace company run by Elon Musk follows the complete shutdown of telecommunications and web access to Iran's 85 million people, that was on January 8. And that was when protests continued to expand over Iran's faltering economy and the collapse of its currency. SpaceX has not officially announced this decision, but activists told The Associated Press that Starlink has been available for free to anyone in Iran with these receivers since Tuesday."
2. Close of Starlink receiver
3. Starlink receiver with instructions
4. Pan of Starlink receiver
5. Pull focus on Starlink instructions
6. Mid of wiring and instructions
7. Close of instructions
8. Mid of Starlink
9. Starlink power supply
STORYLINE:
Iranian demonstrators' ability to get details of bloody nationwide protests out to the world has been given a strong boost, with SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service dropping its fees to allow more people to circumvent the Tehran government's strongest attempt ever to prevent information from spilling outside its borders, activists said Wednesday.

The move by the American aerospace company run by Elon Musk follows the complete shutdown of telecommunications and internet access to Iran's 85 million people on January 8, as protests expanded over the Islamic Republic's faltering economy and the collapse of its currency.

SpaceX has not officially announced the decision and did not respond to request for comment, but activists told The Associated Press that Starlink has been available for free to anyone in Iran with the receivers since Tuesday.

Since the outbreak of demonstrations December 28, the death toll has risen to more than 2,500 people, primarily protesters but also security personnel, according to the U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency.

Starlink is banned in Iran by telecommunication regulations, as the country never authorized the importation, sale or use of the devices.

Activists fear they could be accused of helping the U.S. or Israel by using Starlink and charged with espionage, which can carry the death penalty.

AP video shot by: Luke Mailander

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