Iran has hit a ‘kill switch’ on the internet, which is haemorrhaging $37 million every single day.
This is a bid by the country to block public access to Starlink Internet as nationwide protests continue.
Iran Wire said: “Despite reports that tens of thousands of Starlink units are operating inside Iran, the blackout has also reached satellite connections.”
While Starlink has been a lifeline for protestors to keep their access to the internet and enable them to get around censorships, the digital blackout has now disconnected 90 million people from the internet.
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Speaking to the press on Sunday (January 11) aboard Air Force One, President Donald Trump said: “We may get the internet going, if that’s possible. We may speak to Elon, cause as you know, he’s very good at that kind of thing, he’s got a very good company. So we may speak to Elon Musk. And in fact, I’m going to call him as soon as I’m finished with you.”
In response to a previous post published to X, formerly Twitter, back in June 2025, which asked Musk to provide Starlink internet to the people of Iran, the tech mogul replied: “The beams are on.”
According to the social media account NetBlocks, as of Monday, Iran had been ‘offline for 96 hours, limiting reporting and accountability over civilian deaths as Iranians protest and demand change; fixed-line internet, mobile data and calls are disabled, while other communication means are also increasingly being targeted’.
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As reported by Forbes, journalist Simon Migliano said: “Iran’s current nationwide blackout is a blunt instrument intended to crush dissent.”
He continued: This ‘kill switch’ approach comes at a staggering price, draining $1.56 million from Iran’s economy every single hour the internet is down.”
Migliano went on to say: “Iranian authorities have proven they are prepared to weaponize connectivity, even at a tremendous domestic cost. We are looking at losses already exceeding $130 million. If the 2019 shutdown is any indicator, the regime could maintain this digital siege for days, prioritizing control over their own economic stability.”
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While it is difficult to know an exact number as the Iranian state media has provided limited details, it is estimated that there have been 3,000 deaths in the protests at the time of writing.
According to the US based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA), around 10,680 people have been sent to prisons following arrests.