Starlink satellites were first activated over Iran in September 2022, following U.S. Treasury authorization aimed at supporting Iranian protesters' internet access.

The activation of Starlink terminals came in the wake of the Mahsa Amini protests and subsequent internet blackouts, leading to the smuggling of these devices into the country.

An anonymous official reported in January 2023 that around 800 Starlink terminals had been smuggled into Iran, while Elon Musk indicated that the number of active terminals was nearing 100.

Despite being in limited use for nearly two years, interest in Starlink has surged on social media, although the high costs of terminals and subscriptions remain a barrier for many Iranians.

The cost of a Starlink terminal is approximately $500, with a monthly subscription fee of $110, but prices in Iran can be up to three times higher, making access unaffordable for most.

Given that an ordinary employee in Iran earns about $200 a month, the expense of Starlink access is prohibitive for the majority of the population.

Users still require local internet subscriptions to access government websites and banking services, as Starlink cannot bypass local services tied to Iran's national network.

The Iranian government is likely to demand access to user data from Starlink, which SpaceX would likely reject, posing legal risks for users in Iran.

Installing Starlink terminals is risky, as they must be smuggled from neighboring countries and the service lacks regulatory approval within Iran.

The Iranian government has a history of jamming satellite signals and enforcing internet blackouts during periods of unrest to suppress dissent.

Since the early 2000s, Iran has maintained strict control over the internet, leading to widespread reliance on anti-filtering software, which has slowed internet speeds.

Social media posts suggest that multiple families often share a single Starlink device to reduce costs, reminiscent of the practice of sharing satellite dishes in the 1990s.