Iran claims it disrupted Starlink during the January 2026 blackout and warns the satellite network could become a military target if used for warfare. Iranian officials have claimed that the country successfully disrupted Starlink satellite internet terminals during the nationwide internet blackout in January 2026, while also warning that the satellite network could be considered a “legitimate military target” if it is used as a tool of warfare.
The claim was made on October 5, 2026, by Mohammad-Amin Aghamiri, head of Iran’s National Cyberspace Center and secretary of the Supreme Council of Cyberspace. Speaking to Iran’s state-backed Fars News Agency, Aghamiri said Iran had managed to disrupt Starlink terminals during the January unrest and claimed that Tehran has additional capabilities to counter the satellite internet service.
However, Iranian officials did not publicly explain exactly when the disruption occurred, what technology was used, or whether the operation affected every Starlink terminal operating inside Iran. Independent reporting has previously documented disruptions and possible jamming, but the technical details behind Iran’s latest claim remain unclear.
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- What Happened to Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite internet service operated by SpaceX that uses a large constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity.
Unlike traditional internet services that depend heavily on fiber-optic cables and cellular infrastructure, Starlink connects users through satellite terminals. This makes satellite internet particularly important during situations where governments shut down mobile networks or cut access to conventional internet infrastructure.
During Iran’s nationwide internet blackout in January 2026, some users reportedly continued accessing the internet through Starlink. Reuters reported that Starlink remained operational in some parts of Iran even while conventional internet access had fallen dramatically. Users in some areas reported that the service was still available, although there were also reports of possible disruptions or jamming.
Iranian authorities have long opposed unauthorized Starlink use inside the country. On October 5, Iranian officials also summoned Norway’s ambassador over what Tehran described as unauthorized Starlink operations in Iranian territory.
The latest statements therefore represent a significant escalation in the rhetoric surrounding satellite internet and national security.
- Iran’s Claim About Disrupting Starlink
According to Iranian cyber chief Mohammad-Amin Aghamiri, Iran successfully disrupted Starlink terminals during the January protests.
Aghamiri claimed that Iran was the first country to deliberately disable Starlink operations during the period when the government was attempting to control internet access.
Iranian state media also reported that Tehran had used a technology capable of disrupting Starlink terminals and had additional systems available to identify or prevent their use.
However, the Iranian government has not publicly provided technical evidence explaining how the operation worked.
This distinction is important.
A Starlink disruption could potentially involve several different mechanisms, including radio-frequency interference, localized jamming, interference with terminals, or other methods of preventing a terminal from maintaining a usable connection. A claim that Starlink was “shut down” does not necessarily mean that Iran gained control of SpaceX’s satellites or remotely switched off the entire Starlink network.
Earlier reporting provides some context. Reuters reported in January that Starlink was still working in parts of Iran during the blackout, while possible jamming was suspected.
Therefore, Iran’s latest statement should currently be treated as an official claim that has not been independently explained in sufficient technical detail.
- Can Starlink Really Be Jammed?
Yes, satellite communications can potentially be disrupted through radio-frequency interference, commonly known as jamming.
Jamming works by transmitting interference on frequencies used for communication. If the interference is strong enough and reaches the relevant equipment, it can make communication unreliable or unavailable.
This does not necessarily mean that the satellites themselves have been hacked.
There is an important difference between:
Hacking a satellite or network infrastructure
Jamming radio signals
Interfering with user terminals
Blocking or restricting service
Physically attacking satellite infrastructure
These are technically different methods.
In Starlink’s case, the satellite constellation operates in low Earth orbit and communicates with user terminals on the ground. Disrupting a particular terminal or geographic area is therefore different from disabling the entire global Starlink network.
Reports from January 2026 indicated that some Starlink users inside Iran experienced disruptions, while others continued to access the service. That pattern is consistent with the possibility of localized interference, although the exact cause of individual outages cannot be established from those reports alone.
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- Why Satellites Are Becoming Cybersecurity Targets
Satellite networks are becoming increasingly important to communications, governments, businesses and military organizations.
The importance of satellite connectivity has become especially visible during conflicts and major infrastructure disruptions.
Starlink, for example, has been used in Ukraine to provide internet connectivity when conventional communications infrastructure has been damaged or disrupted. Its use in conflict zones has made satellite internet part of the broader discussion around modern warfare and communications security.
This creates a new cybersecurity challenge.
Traditional cyberattacks often target:
Websites
Servers
Cloud systems
Databases
Smartphones
Computers
Routers
Telecommunications networks
Satellite systems add another layer.
Potential threats can include:
Signal jamming
Spoofing
Ground-station attacks
Network intrusion
Terminal targeting
Supply-chain attacks
Physical attacks against infrastructure
Attempts to disrupt satellite communications
As more critical services depend on satellite connectivity, protecting these systems becomes increasingly important.
- What Does “Military Target” Mean?
One of the most significant parts of Iran’s latest statement was the warning that Starlink could become a legitimate military target.
Aghamiri said that if the platform is used as a tool of warfare, it could be considered a legitimate military target in the future.
The statement did not clearly specify what Iran meant by “Starlink infrastructure.”
That could potentially refer to:
Starlink user terminals
Ground infrastructure
Other network-related equipment
Satellite infrastructure
Or military-associated Starlink use
The distinction matters because Starlink is also used by civilians and commercial customers.
A satellite internet network can simultaneously provide ordinary civilian connectivity while also being used by government or military users. This creates difficult questions around communications infrastructure, civilian use and military operations.
Iran’s statement should therefore be understood as a warning issued by an Iranian official, rather than as an independent legal determination that Starlink infrastructure is automatically a military target.
- Starlink’s Role in Modern Conflicts
Starlink has become more than a conventional consumer internet service.
Its ability to provide connectivity without relying entirely on local cellular towers and fiber networks makes it particularly valuable in areas where communications infrastructure has been damaged or restricted.
Ukraine is one of the most prominent examples. Starlink has been used to maintain connectivity during the Russia-Ukraine war, including by Ukrainian military and civilian users. Russia has also been reported to have attempted to disrupt Starlink communications.
The situation in Iran demonstrates another important use case.
When governments impose large-scale internet shutdowns, satellite connectivity can provide an alternative route to the global internet.
That makes satellite internet strategically important—but it also makes it more attractive as a target for governments and military actors attempting to control communications.
Iran’s latest warning shows how satellite internet is increasingly being viewed through a national-security and military lens.
- What This Means for Satellite Internet Security
The Iran-Starlink dispute highlights a broader shift in cybersecurity.
Internet security is no longer limited to protecting computers, websites and data centers. Modern connectivity increasingly depends on satellites, ground stations, wireless networks and specialized hardware.
This means future security strategies will need to consider multiple layers.
Signal Security
Satellite communications need protection against interference, jamming and spoofing.
Network Security
Ground infrastructure and network management systems must be protected from cyberattacks.
Device Security
User terminals can become targets for surveillance, disruption or physical seizure.
Physical Security
Satellite communications depend on physical equipment on the ground, making terminals and supporting infrastructure vulnerable to physical attacks.
Resilience
Critical communications networks should ideally have alternative connectivity options so that the failure of one system does not completely isolate users.
The events surrounding Iran demonstrate why resilience is becoming just as important as traditional cybersecurity.
- What Users Should Know
For ordinary users, the biggest lesson is that no communication technology should be treated as completely immune to disruption.
Satellite internet can provide connectivity when traditional networks are unavailable, but it is still dependent on radio communications, network infrastructure, user hardware and regulatory conditions.
Users should therefore consider basic security practices such as:
Keep networking equipment and software updated.
Use strong, unique passwords.
Enable multi-factor authentication where available.
Protect physical networking equipment from unauthorized access.
Avoid relying on a single connectivity method for critical communications.
Be cautious about sensitive information sent over any communication network.
Follow local laws and regulations concerning satellite equipment.
For organizations, the lesson is even broader: critical communications should have redundancy and contingency plans.
If one network becomes unavailable because of a cyberattack, physical damage, government shutdown or radio interference, an alternative communication method can be essential.
- Iran’s Dispute With Norway Over Starlink
The Starlink controversy has also developed into a diplomatic dispute.
On October 5, Iran summoned Norway’s ambassador in Tehran and submitted a formal protest over what it described as unauthorized Starlink operations inside Iran.
Iran argued that Norway has responsibilities connected to Starlink’s registration with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and demanded action against what Tehran considers unauthorized Starlink transmissions.
Iran has also accused Starlink of being used for activities that threaten its national security.
Norway’s role relates to international telecommunications regulation rather than ownership of Starlink. SpaceX operates the Starlink service, while international regulatory arrangements involve ITU processes and national administrations.
The dispute shows that satellite internet is no longer simply a technology issue. It can also become part of international diplomacy and national-security policy.
Conclusion
Iran’s claim that it successfully disrupted Starlink terminals during the January 2026 internet blackout highlights the growing importance of satellite communications in modern cybersecurity and geopolitical conflicts.
Iranian cyber chief Mohammad-Amin Aghamiri says Tehran has developed tools capable of disrupting Starlink and has warned that the network could be considered a military target if it is used as a tool of warfare.
At the same time, the technical details behind Iran’s alleged disruption remain unclear. Earlier reporting confirmed that some Starlink users in Iran continued to access the service during the January blackout, while possible jamming was suspected.
The bigger story is the changing role of satellite internet.
As services such as Starlink become important sources of connectivity during blackouts, disasters and conflicts, they are also becoming part of the wider cybersecurity threat landscape.
The Iran-Starlink dispute is therefore a reminder that the future of internet security will extend beyond traditional networks. Satellites, wireless signals, ground infrastructure and user terminals are all becoming important parts of the cybersecurity battlefield.
