Musk had repeatedly advocated and lobbied against any aid to ukraine. Turning off starlink for the russian army was a quick and easy task, and could have been since the beginning of the war.

Elon Musk promotes Starlink, but his own website turns against him

Starlink horse v/s Jammer donkey

Global Satellite Modem Market Size, Growth Trends & Forecast (2025–2032) | CAGR 7.4%

Global satellite modem market was valued at USD 375 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 609 million by 2032, expanding at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. Market growth is driven by rising demand for high-speed connectivity in remote and rural areas, expansion of LEO satellite constellations such as Starlink and OneWeb, and increasing adoption of VSAT technology across enterprise, government, and military applications. Advancements in high-throughput satellites (HTS), disaster-response communication needs, and growing satellite backhaul usage further support market expansion, despite challenges from high costs, regulatory complexity, and competition from 5G and fiber networks.

Elon Musk has activated Starlink satellite internet over Iran in response to widespread government-imposed internet blackouts triggered by escalating Iran–Israel tensions.

The move was confirmed by Musk with a post saying, “The beams are on,” indicating Starlink coverage was live in Iranian airspace.

-- Why It Matters

Iran has recently faced major internet shutdowns due to regional instability and internal crackdowns. Starlink’s activation is intended to restore independent internet access for Iranians during this communication crisis.

-- Who Can Access It?

Despite the satellite signals being active:

Only those with Starlink terminals can access the service.

Terminals are not legally sold or distributed in Iran, so access is largely limited to people who already have the equipment or can smuggle it in, such as activists or tech-savvy citizens.

-- Historical Context

This is not the first time Starlink has supported Iranians:

In 2022, Musk offered similar support during anti-government protests in Iran.

The U.S. government eased sanctions back then to allow tech services like Starlink to assist civilians.