In recent years, satellite internet service Starlink has been quietly carving out a significant user base in one of the most heavily censored countries in the world: Iran. What began as a handful of terminals smuggled across borders has evolved into a full-fledged underground movement — a digital lifeline for thousands seeking uncensored access to the global internet.
Back in 2022, Starlink entered the Iranian spotlight in the wake of nationwide protests over the death of Mahsa Amini. As the Iranian government tightened its grip on online access, Elon Musk’s SpaceX activated Starlink in the region, thanks to a sanctions exemption by the U.S. government. This moment marked the beginning of a slow-burning internet revolution.
Fast-forward to early 2025, and estimates from various sources, including Forbes, the Tehran Electronic Commerce Association, and local Iranian media, suggest that the number of active Starlink users in Iran has skyrocketed. While Forbes initially estimated around 20,000 active users, domestic figures now claim that number may have surpassed 50,000 active subscriptions and 100,000 individual users.
The Demand Behind the Numbers
The rapid adoption of Starlink in Iran is driven by a mix of frustration and aspiration. Users point to the poor quality of domestic internet services and the ever-present filter walls that block access to global platforms like Instagram, Slack, and Google Play. With Starlink, users are not only bypassing censorship — they’re also accessing internet speeds upwards of 400 Mbps, enabling seamless video calls, online gaming, and unrestricted browsing.
Tehran’s efforts to stifle this trend haven’t succeeded. Terminals are routinely smuggled into the country, often sold via Telegram channels and encrypted platforms at inflated prices ranging from $700 to $2,000 — well above the average Iranian monthly salary. A monthly subscription, complicated by U.S. banking sanctions, requires payment via cryptocurrency and prepaid international credit cards. Despite these hurdles, demand continues to rise.
A telling example comes from Mohammad, a 38-year-old construction consultant in southern Iran. Desperate for reliable internet to communicate with foreign clients, he turned to Starlink. His purchase — arranged over Telegram and delivered to his home like a pizza — allowed him to sidestep the limitations of Iran’s sluggish, filtered internet. He now keeps the terminal hidden behind a curtain near his balcony, wary of neighbors and government surveillance.
A Network of Activists and Innovators
Behind the scenes, a global network of activists and tech advocates has been instrumental in expanding access. Figures like Mehdi Yahyanejad, an Iranian-American activist, helped fund and coordinate the delivery of hundreds of terminals into Iran. Requests were even made to SpaceX for hardware modifications better suited to the challenges on the ground, such as foldable mounts and detachable cables.
NasNet, a Persian-language channel promoting Starlink usage, offers technical support and educational content — some created by an anonymous Iranian woman living in Europe — to help new users navigate setup and troubleshooting. These efforts have been crucial in turning a black-market gadget into a tool for digital liberation.
A Glimpse Into Iran’s Internet Future
Despite the risks of fines, imprisonment, and surveillance, Starlink’s appeal in Iran continues to grow. The government’s inability to detect and block the compact terminals — easily hidden in backpacks or under rooftops — underscores the challenge of controlling this new digital frontier.
Activists argue that widespread access to Starlink could become a turning point in the struggle for digital freedom in Iran. As one advocate put it, “Starlink could shatter the Islamic Republic’s digital iron curtain, just as Radio Free Europe once did with Soviet propaganda.”
While the current number of users is still a fraction of Iran’s 89 million population, the trajectory is clear: more Iranians are willing to take risks for the promise of a faster, freer internet. The rise of Starlink may not yet be a revolution — but it is undeniably a rebellion, one satellite terminal at a time.
