Increase in Starlink Smuggling to Iran Amid Internet Restrictions

Iranian authorities confiscated 51 Starlink satellite-internet terminals in Kurdistan, labeling them as anti-security goods, with Brigadier-General Hossein Rahimi stating that holders will face severe consequences. This seizure increased the total confiscated terminals to 108 in the year, an 881% rise compared to the previous year, amid rising demand for uncensored internet after nationwide protests. Possession of these terminals is illegal in Iran, with severe penalties for violations, including the death penalty for espionage. Despite risks, an underground market thrives, with terminals being smuggled from Iraq and sold for around $3,000 each, providing connectivity that authorities struggle to control.

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