Iran claims to have seized hundreds of Starlink satellite internet receivers while the Tehran government has maintained a nationwide internet blackout for 18 consecutive days.
On 17 Mar 2026 GMT+7, Iran's Ministry of Intelligence revealed that their officials had confiscated several hundred Starlink satellite internet systems during operations across the country, according to two Iranian media outlets, Mehr and Tasnim.
“The locations of these satellite systems have been precisely identified, and the illegal activities of their users are being monitored and controlled,” the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence stated in a press release.
“This operation will continue until all satellite internet receivers serving the enemy in any form are completely detected,” the statement said, adding, “Under the law, illegal use of the Starlink system constitutes a criminal offense, and during wartime, the penalties will be the severest.”
Currently, Iran has maintained a nationwide internet blackout for more than 18 days, according to Netblocks, the internet monitoring organization.
However, Iranians are among the world’s most skilled at circumventing web and internet restrictions, often relying on satellite internet tools such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, which the company has made available free of charge in Iran.
Meanwhile, FreedomHouse, a U.S.-based human rights and freedom advocacy group, estimates that in Iran’s population of 92 million, only about 50,000 Starlink receivers have been illegally imported, though figures vary by source.
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Source:cnn