The newly published text of a draft Iranian anti-espionage law increases punishments for the use of Elon Musk's Starlink internet technology, including the death penalty if used for spying.
The use of Starlink or other unauthorized satellite internet services for personal purposes is explicitly banned and punishable by six months to two years in prison.
"The use, possession, purchase, sale, or import of unlicensed electronic, internet, or satellite communication devices—such as Starlink—for personal use is prohibited and punishable by sixth-degree imprisonment, with the equipment to be confiscated," it says.
"If any of these actions are committed with the intent to act against the system or for espionage, and the perpetrator is deemed to be an enemy agent, the punishment is death," it added.
Iran suffered serious blows and intelligence failures during its 12-day war with Israel and the United States in June. The draft law was introduced following the conflict.
It further specifies that “any intelligence or espionage activity for the aforementioned regimes, governments, groups, or their affiliates shall result in confiscation of all property and the death penalty" and frequently cites the charge of "corruption on earth."
The religious phrase constitutes a formal charge under Iran’s Islamic legal system and is frequently used by Revolutionary Courts to hand down death sentences against political prisoners.
Since Starlink is an American company, activities related to its use, distribution or import could fall under the scope of “corruption on earth” charges.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, became a symbol of digital freedom in Iran after it was used to bypass government internet shutdowns during the Woman, Life, Freedom nationwide protests.
The unrest began in September 2022 after the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini in the custody of Iran's morality police, who detained her for allegedly violating hijab rules.
Western governments had encouraged the deployment of Starlink to help Iranians access the open internet when the regime imposed widespread restrictions.
The incident had not previously been reported.
Hooman Kiani, a student at Isfahan University of Applied Science and Technology, was returning home with a friend when their car came under fire from Basij forces, a volunteer militia under Iran’s Revolutionary Guards according to the Amir Kabir Newsletter.
“Around 11 PM, their car was stopped at a checkpoint in the Mardavij neighborhood,” the newsletter quoted a family member as saying.
“The driver stopped a little late, and the officers opened fire without any warning. Two bullets struck Hooman in the lungs and liver, and his friend was hit in the leg.”
The report said Kiani was taken to Al-Zahra Hospital in Isfahan, where doctors performed surgery, but he did not survive his injuries.
"Emergency staff began resuscitation efforts and Hooman underwent surgery, but due to extensive bleeding and severe liver damage, he went into cardiac arrest and lost his life" the family member said.
Amir Kabir Newsletter also published a copy of Kiani’s official burial permit issued by Isfahan’s Legal Medicine Organization, which listed the cause of death as “hemorrhagic shock,” “injury to the liver and lungs” and a “gunshot wound,” with the date of death recorded as June 15, 2025.
The newsletter added the family has demanded an explanation from authorities over why Basij forces “fired directly at the car” and called for those responsible to be held accountable.
In a similar incident during the 12 day war, guards at a military base in the central Iranian city of Khomein mistakenly opened fire on two civilian vehicles, killing four people on July 17. State media said the shooters were arrested and a judicial investigation was launched.
In another earlier incident, on July 2, two young men were shot dead by the Islamic Republic's security forces outside Hamedan in western Iran.
Fars News Agency, which is affiliated with the Revolutionary Guards, reported that personnel opened fire on their vehicle near the Tareek-Darreh area after suspecting it of drone-related activity.
