Trump administration covertly sent Starlink terminals to Iran - WSJ

The Trump administration covertly sent thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following a deadly crackdown on demonstrations and sweeping internet shutdowns, The Wall Street Journal reported citing US officials.

Roughly 6,000 terminals were smuggled into the country after Iranian authorities suppressed unrest in January by killing thousands of protesters and restricting connectivity, marking the first time Washington has directly sent Starlink kits into Iran, the report said.

The State Department had purchased nearly 7,000 terminals in prior months — most in January — to help anti-government activists bypass internet blackouts, officials said, adding that some funding was redirected from other internet freedom programs to finance the purchases.

President Donald Trump was aware of the deliveries, officials said, though it was unclear whether he or another official directly approved the operation.