Washington | June 22, 2025 , As the crisis between the United States and Iran deepens following coordinated U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Assignments Richard Grenell has publicly appealed to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to activate free Starlink internet access across Iran, citing the need to restore information flow to citizens amid severe government-imposed communication blackouts.
Grenell, who previously served as the acting Director of National Intelligence and Ambassador to Germany, made the request on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), writing: “Can you turn on Starlink for free in Iran for the next few weeks, @elonmusk? My friends inside Iran don’t have regular access to information right now. I’ll chip in a donation and I think others would, too.”
The appeal comes in the wake of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces carried out precision missile and airstrikes targeting three Iranian nuclear sites. The action follows Israel’s own offensive against Iran earlier this month—Operation Rising Lion—during which Mossad is reported to have coordinated internal sabotage operations using covert drone deployments.
While Musk has not publicly responded to Grenell’s request, he has previously confirmed that Starlink’s service is technically available in Iran, stating that the "beams are on." However, access to Starlink still requires specialized ground equipment—namely satellite terminals—which remain largely inaccessible inside the heavily sanctioned country.
Starlink's Expanding Role in Geopolitics
Initially developed to provide high-speed, low-latency internet to underserved and remote regions, Starlink, SpaceX’s low-Earth orbit satellite constellation, has evolved into a critical tool for both humanitarian and military operations. The system has been lauded for restoring communications in disaster zones, including after hurricanes Helene and Milton.
More controversially, Starlink has played a decisive role in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Since 2022, SpaceX has delivered more than 40,000 terminals to Ukrainian forces, with Musk himself describing the network as the “backbone” of Ukraine’s military communications. Disabling the system, he warned earlier this year, would collapse the "entire frontline."
As tensions mount in the Middle East, similar demands are now being made to extend the satellite internet service into Iran—where authorities have severely curtailed digital communications, isolating the country from the global internet. Iranian officials have reportedly instructed citizens to delete WhatsApp, alleging the Meta-owned messaging app is being used for Israeli surveillance.
Diplomatic Backchannels and Information Wars
Grenell’s call to action reflects broader U.S. efforts to ensure the Iranian public has access to uncensored information amid what Washington views as a rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and security situation. As U.S. Presidential Envoy for Special Missions, Grenell has been tasked with managing sensitive international diplomatic engagements and behind-the-scenes crisis coordination for the Trump administration.
With the region teetering on the brink of broader conflict and Iran facing a communications blackout, Starlink has once again emerged as a potential instrument of digital access—and geopolitical influence.
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