Elon Musk deployed Starlink service in Iran amid country-wide internet restrictions

Tesla CEO Elon Musk has deployed his satellite-based Starlink service in Iran after authorities restricted internet access amid widespread protests in the country.

According to reports, the Iranian government shut down internet access for many of its citizens on Wednesday in protest over the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman in police custody.

On Friday, SpaceX founder Elon Musk hinted that he would make Starlink available in Iran.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had earlier announced on Twitter to increase Internet freedom and the free flow of information for Iranians by issuing a general license to provide greater access to digital communications to counter the Iranian government’s censorship.

“Activating Starlink,” Musk wrote in response to Blinken’s tweet.

Protesters are demanding basic rights to freedom and demonstrating against a mandatory dress code that mandates the wearing of the hijab.

Protests erupted in Iran last weekend after the death of Mahsa Amini after Iran’s morality police detained her. She died a few days after falling into a coma while in custody for allegedly violating a law related to the hijab.

It is worth noting that earlier this week, lawmakers from New York and New Jersey requested the US Treasury Department to approve SpaceX’s request for a license to provide internet services in Iran.

Lawmakers led by Claudia Tenney of New York and Tom Malinowski of New Jersey filed an appeal with the Treasury Department, Fox News reported. Reportedthe letter came after Musk tweeted on Monday that SpaceX would seek an exemption from sanctions on the country.

SpaceX has deployed Starlink in the past in emergencies, such as in Ukraine after Russia invaded and in the South Pacific islands of Tonga after a volcanic eruption.