US Satellites Invade Iran, 46 People Immediately Arrested

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia - Satellite equipment made by the United States (US) is banned from use in Iran. However, field findings reveal that Elon Musk’s Starlink satellites are still being distributed in the country. Iran has finally taken firm action by arresting several people involved in distributing Starlink. In addition, the local government is also targeting users seeking alternative connectivity outside the state-controlled channels. Reports from Iranian media state that this enforcement has resulted in the arrest of 46 people and the seizure of Starlink-related equipment, cited from Roic. This action occurs as geopolitical issues between the two countries intensify. The aim is related to domestic security in Iran. “This action is part of ongoing law enforcement against illegal communication networks, driven by security priorities,” explained an anonymous source, cited from Roic, Wednesday (1/4/2026). Iran has a history of restricting access to unmonitored internet, as well as foreign technology. Meanwhile, Starlink services in Iran are said to be a point for bypassing government filters. To stop this, the government is also continuously striving to regulate or avoid the intensive use of foreign networks. Iran is launching law enforcement actions and broader efforts. With the aim of hindering information about protests and controlling the flow of information. Roic notes that users will experience connectivity disruptions due to interrupted access to those devices. This could lead the Iranian public to switch to government-verified network options. From Starlink’s perspective, it could cause penetration in Iran to lag if control remains in the hands of the local government.