Tech billionaire and former DOGE leader Elon Musk said he activated his satellite-based internet service, Starlink, in Iran after the Islamic Republic’s regime disrupted ground-based access.
“The beams are on,” Mr. Musk posted on his X social media site.
Iran blocked internet access for its citizens after Israel pummeled the country’s nuclear facilities with missiles and took out top regime officials in targeted strikes early Friday.
Israeli and American government officials say the attacks by Israel create an opening for a public uprising against the unpopular regime that has controlled Iran since 1979.
It’s believed Iranian government officials shut down the internet to squelch unrest.
Influential conservative talk show host Mark Levin on Friday reposted a social media message to Mr. Musk that Starlink would reconnect the Iranian people with the internet and “put the final nail in the coffin of the Iranian regime.”
Shortly after that, Mr. Musk announced the service was active.
Starlink operates via hundreds of satellites that orbit close to Earth, providing internet access in remote locations or places where ground-based internet has been disrupted. More than 7,500 active Starlink satellites are in orbit.
The service requires the installation of rooftop terminals.
Mr. Musk recently left the Trump administration, where he led the Department of Government Efficiency and slashed billions of dollars in wasteful spending. He recently apologized to President Trump for suddenly turning on him and trashing the One Big Beautiful Bill.
