Trump and Musk Discuss Internet Restoration in Iran Amid Ongoing Protests
In a notable move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has announced intentions to discuss with billionaire Elon Musk the possibility of restoring internet service in Iran, which has been disrupted due to widespread protests against the Iranian government.
Trump, who referred to Musk as "a great person in this field," suggested that Musk's company, SpaceX, which operates the satellite internet service Starlink, could be a viable solution to this crisis.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has seen fluctuations over the years, ranging from Musk's support during Trump's presidential campaign to disagreements over tax issues in 2025. However, it appears that the two have reconciled after dining together at Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in January 2025, signaling a potential thaw in their relationship.
Simultaneously, Israel has expressed significant interest in the Iranian internet situation, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's deputy minister, Almog Cohen, reaching out to Israeli-American businessman Dovi Francis to explore the feasibility of operating the Starlink service in Iran amid the internet outages.
However, Francis did not clarify whether he had contacted Musk or if there were any subsequent developments.
It is well-documented that Iranian authorities frequently cut internet access during protests to restrict the flow of information. The Starlink service is considered a crucial tool in these times, as it offers a method of internet connectivity that is challenging for governments to block, although its implementation requires ground stations that Iran may monitor.
In parallel, calls from Iranian activist Masih Alinejad and other international figures have intensified, urging Musk to expand access to the Starlink service in Iran to assist citizens in restoring their internet connectivity.
Additionally, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission has approved the addition of 7,500 new second-generation satellites to the Starlink network, increasing the total number of satellites to 15,000 and enhancing global high-speed internet service.
As political tensions and modern technology intersect, the question remains:
Can Starlink play a pivotal role in addressing the internet crisis in Iran, and what is the role of Western governments in this context?
