Thelasko shares a report from Forbes: We have not seen this before. Iran’s digital blackout has now deployed military jammers, reportedly supplied by Russia, to shut down access to Starlink Internet. This is a game-changer for the Plan-B connectivity frequently used by protesters and anti-regime activists when ordinary access to the internet is stopped. “Despite reports that tens of thousands of Starlink units are operating inside Iran,” says Iran Wire, “the blackout has also reached satellite connections.” It is reported that about 30 percent of Starlink’s uplink and downlink traffic was (initially) disrupted,” quickly rising “to more than 80 percent” within hours. The Times of Israel reports “the deployment of (Starlink) receivers is now far greater in Iran” than during previous blackouts. “That’s despite the government never authorizing Starlink to function, making the service illegal to possess and use.” “While it’s not clear how Starlink’s service was being disrupted in Iran,” The Times says, “some specialists say it could be the result of jamming of Starlink terminals that would overpower their ability to receive signals from the satellites.”
Multiple reports suggest Russia’s military technology may be responsible. Channel 4 News describes Russia’s activities as a “technological race with Starlink,” which it says “is known to deploy trucks which deploy radio noise to disrupt satellite signals.”
Simon Migliano, Head of Research at Top10VPN.com, said “Iran’s current nationwide blackout is a blunt instrument intended to crush dissent,” and this comes at a stark cost to the country, underpinning the regime’s desperation. “This ‘kill switch’ approach comes at a staggering price, draining $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every single hour the internet is down.” He added: “Iranian authorities have proven they are prepared to weaponize connectivity, even at a tremendous domestic cost. We are looking at losses already exceeding $130 million. If the 2019 shutdown is any indicator, the regime could maintain this digital siege for days, prioritizing control over their own economic stability.”
TEHRAN, January 13, 2026 — Iran has taken unprecedented steps to quell dissent, deploying military jammers—reportedly supplied by Russia—to shut down access to Starlink internet service. This move represents a significant escalation in the country’s efforts to control the flow of information and suppress protests.
A New Level of Digital Control
The Iranian government is actively weaponizing connectivity, even at a substantial economic cost.
- Iran has deployed military jammers to disrupt Starlink service.
- Russia is reportedly the supplier of the jamming technology.
- The internet shutdown is costing Iran’s economy $1.56 million per hour.
- Starlink traffic disruption rose from 30 percent to over 80 percent within hours.
Despite reports indicating tens of thousands of Starlink units are currently operating within Iran, the recent blackout has extended to satellite connections as well. Initial disruptions affected approximately 30 percent of Starlink’s uplink and downlink traffic, rapidly increasing to more than 80 percent within hours, according to reports.
The deployment of Starlink receivers in Iran is now greater than during previous communications blackouts, even though the government has never authorized the service, making its use illegal. Specialists suggest the disruption is likely due to jamming of Starlink terminals, overwhelming their ability to receive signals from satellites.
Russia’s Role in the Jamming
Multiple sources point to Russia’s military technology as being responsible for the jamming. Channel 4 News described Russia’s actions as a “technological race with Starlink,” noting their known use of trucks equipped to deploy radio noise, effectively disrupting satellite signals.
Simon Migliano, Head of Research at Top10VPN.com, characterized Iran’s nationwide blackout as “a blunt instrument intended to crush dissent.” He emphasized the significant economic consequences, stating, “This ‘kill switch’ approach comes at a staggering price, draining $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every single hour the internet is down.”
Migliano added that Iranian authorities have demonstrated a willingness to weaponize connectivity, even at a considerable domestic cost. Losses already exceed $130 million, and, based on the 2019 shutdown, the regime could sustain this digital siege for days, prioritizing control over economic stability.
