During Donald Trump's presidency, the U.S. administration carried out a secret delivery of about 6,000 Starlink terminals to Iran. This measure, as reported by The Wall Street Journal, was initiated in response to the strict internet access restrictions imposed by Iranian authorities during mass anti-government protests in January.
The goal of this operation was to provide protesters with reliable access to the internet. According to the publication, as part of this initiative, the State Department also purchased approximately 7,000 satellite terminals, a significant portion of which was acquired in the midst of the January events. Sources claim that Trump was informed about the progress of the deliveries, but the details of his personal approval remain unclear.
The mass protests in Iran were a result of a deep economic crisis triggered by high inflation and the devaluation of the national currency. Protesters linked their deteriorating living conditions to ineffective economic management and international sanctions imposed on the country due to its nuclear and missile programs. At the same time, Iranian authorities accused the U.S. of attempting to destabilize the situation and interfere in their internal affairs.
Against this backdrop, Donald Trump made sharp statements, warning the Iranian leadership against taking harsh measures against detained protest participants.
