SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said on Friday that he would activate
the company's satellite internet service, Starlink in Iran amid
massive protests in the country which have resulted in the
government shutting down internet. As US Secretary of State
Antony Blinken said that the United States took action "to
advance internet freedom and the free flow of information" to
Iranians, Elon Musk said that SpaceX would do its bit for Iran
through Starlink activation. Iran has witnessed massive protests
this week following the death of Mahsa Amini while she was in
custody after being arrested by the morality police for wearing
"unsuitable attire"- not wearing a hijab. Iran has imposed tough
restrictions on the usage of the internet in a bid to stop the
protesters from gathering amid international condemnation.
Elon Musk had already said on Monday that his company
wanted to provide Starlink satellite broadband service to Iran
and would ask for a sanctions exception. Starlink services are
already being provided to Ukraine amid Russia's invasion.
At least 50 people have been killed by security forces in the
anti-government protests, Iran Human Rights, an
Oslo-based organisation, said, AFP reported.