According to The Wall Street Journal, the administration of President Donald Trump carried out a secret delivery of thousands of Starlink terminals to Iran. This move was a response to the internet shutdown imposed by Iranian authorities during mass anti-government protests that erupted in January.
The main goal of the White House was to provide protesters with stable internet access. According to sources, about 6,000 satellite kits were sent to the country, marking the first such direct operation. The State Department purchased around 7,000 terminals, a significant portion of which was acquired during the January events. Sources for the publication emphasize that Trump was aware of the deliveries, but the details of his approval remain unclear.
The mass demonstrations in Iran were triggered by a prolonged economic crisis, resulting from high inflation and the decline of the national currency. Protesters link the worsening living conditions to ineffective governance and international sanctions imposed on Tehran due to its nuclear and missile program. In response, Iranian authorities accuse the US of attempting to destabilize the situation and interfering in the country's internal affairs.
In light of these events, Donald Trump also made several sharp statements, urging Iranian authorities not to take harsh measures against detained protesters.
