Elon Musk Gets Green Light to Open Starlink for Iranian Protestors

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has been given authorization to open up Starlink to the Iranian people.

Many Iranian citizens had their internet access cut off by Iran’s government on Wednesday following widespread protests over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini, who died in police custody.

Amini was arrested by Iran’s morality police after allegedly wearing her hijab improperly.

She died just a few days after falling into a coma while in custody.

Protests erupted following her death.

Musk announced on Friday that he would open up Starlink, which is his firm’s satellite internet service, to the Iranian protestors.

His came in response to a tweet from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who said that the U.S. would take action “to advance internet freedom and the free flow of information.”

“Activating Starlink …” Musk tweeted Friday.

Elon Musk opening up Starlink in Iran https://t.co/rr2kpdJAJL

— FOX Business (@FoxBusiness) September 23, 2022

Fox Business has more on Musk opening up Starlink to the Iranian protestors:

SpaceX founder Elon Musk appeared to confirm Friday that he will make Starlink available in Iran.

Musk replied “Activating Starlink …” to Secretary of State Antony Blinken tweeting that the U.S. government had taken action to increase internet freedom for Iranians.

The Treasury Department announced Friday it had issued a general license that will “authorize technology companies to offer the Iranian people with more options of secure, outside platforms and services.” The Iranian government cut off internet access for many of its citizens Wednesday amid widespread protests over the death of a 22-year-old woman in police custody, the department said.

Activating Starlink …

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 23, 2022

BREAKING: Elon Musk confirms “activating Starlink” internet in Iran.

— حسن سجواني 🇦🇪 Hassan Sajwani (@HSajwanization) September 23, 2022

Elon Musk opening up Starlink in Iran https://t.co/Q1pVBH7s12 pic.twitter.com/etxiBCdzaX

— New York Post (@nypost) September 25, 2022

Our friends at the New York Post report on the current situation in Iran,

The protests in Iran erupted last weekend after Mahsa Amini died following her detainment by Iran’s morality police. She died a few days after falling into a coma while being detained on an accusation of violating a law related to hijabs.

Lawmakers, led by Reps. Claudia Tenney of New York and Tom Malinowski of New Jersey, reportedly urged the Treasury Department earlier this week to grant approval if SpaceX sought licensing permission to make its satellite-based Starlink internet service available in Iran.

The bipartisan letter came after Musk tweeted Monday that SpaceX would seek exemptions from sanctions on the country.

Women of Iran-Saghez removed their headscarves in protest against the murder of Mahsa Amini 22 Yr old woman by hijab police and chanting:

death to dictator!

Removing hijab is a punishable crime in Iran. We call on women and men around the world to show solidarity. #مهسا_امینی pic.twitter.com/ActEYqOr1Q

— Masih Alinejad 🏳️ (@AlinejadMasih) September 17, 2022

Iran continues to cut off the internet in the evening when the protestors are on the streets.

If @elonmusk is able to turn Starlink on in Iran, this alone will earn him a Nobel prize.

And if he doesn’t get the Nobel Prize, he would instantly become a hero to the people of Iran.

— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) September 23, 2022

Starlink is taking off on in Iran! pic.twitter.com/WnmWP02cYW

— Emily Schrader – אמילי שריידר امیلی شریدر (@emilykschrader) September 24, 2022

The decision to use Starlink received bipartisan support from lawmakers.

Elon Musk’s satellite-internet system Starlink could help protesters in Iran in this critical time.

The Iranian people need to know they’re not alone in their pursuit of freedom, & the world needs to see what’s happening—w/out being blocked by the regime. https://t.co/YWrikhet67

— Kevin McCarthy (@SpeakerMcCarthy) September 25, 2022

#Starlink is over #Iran…

The Resistance is in space.. pic.twitter.com/tAQNgVtcvR

— Walid Phares (@WalidPhares) September 24, 2022