According to multiple reports, the first SpaceX Starlink terminals have arrived in Iran via independent groups.
https://twitter.com/iamfinancegeek/status/1583180770877014016
As per Karim Sadjadpour, one group of activists now has sent a dozen terminals to the country, with hopes to scale up from there.
1. Efforts have been underway for more than a month to get Starlink terminals to Iran. One group of activists–who want to stay anonymous to protect their networks–asked me to share this video. They've already sent dozens of terminals to Iran and intend to scale up. pic.twitter.com/bvdjeWhhoi
— Karim Sadjadpour (@ksadjadpour) October 21, 2022
These efforts are independent of the US Government’s efforts to aid protestors in the Islamic Republic.
According to a report from Forbes, the White House confirmed that they have been in talks with Elon Musk about potentially sending Starlink terminals to the country.
The Biden Administration sees Starlink as a way to counter the internet crackdowns that we have seen across the country.
Last month, the US gave the green light for SpaceX to reposition Starlink satellites over Iran ahead of any approvals to send terminals.
Neither Forbes nor CNN has confirmed if the Biden Administration plans to fund the operation and set-up of the terminals in Iran.
The cost to operate and set up the terminals is a contentious issue, as Elon Musk raised concerns over funding the costs associated with such a network in Ukraine.
Starlink services in Ukraine reportedly cost SpaceX $20 million per month, and no one is sure that SpaceX wants to fund a second mission to Iran.
This is certainly a developing story; we will provide updates as they come in.
