Starlink May Be Used to Bring Internet to Iran, Musk Indicates

SpaceX's Starlink might try to provide unfettered internet access in Iran under the General License D-2 issued Friday by Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control, company CEO Elon Musk indicated. The updated U.S. sanctions guidance opens the door to technology companies offering Iranians more options for secure, private, outside platforms and services in response to the Iranian regime's violent crackdown of protests there, per the State Department. "Activating Starlink ...," Musk tweeted in response. In a media briefing, a Treasury official said Starlink's commercial-grade service and Starlink hardware wouldn't be covered in the general license, and would need agency approval, but it "welcomes and we will prioritize applications for specific licenses to authorize activities supporting internet freedom in Iran."