U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday he intends to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran, where authorities have maintained a nationwide blackout for four days amid intensifying anti-government protests.
“He’s very good at that kind of thing, he’s got a very good company,” Trump told reporters when asked whether he would engage Musk’s SpaceX firm, which operates Starlink — a satellite internet service that has previously been deployed in Iran. Musk and SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The information blackout, which began on Thursday, has severely limited communication between Iranians and the outside world. It comes as the country faces its most widespread protests since 2022, when nationwide demonstrations erupted after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody.
Renewed Ties Between Trump and Musk
Trump’s remarks underscore a warming relationship between the two men following a period of public friction. Musk, who helped fund Trump’s earlier presidential campaign, reportedly played a key role in the administration’s government restructuring efforts. Their alliance soured last year after Musk opposed Trump’s flagship tax legislation, but recent public appearances suggest a reconciliation.
The pair were seen dining together at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort earlier this month. In a further sign of rapprochement, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is scheduled to visit a SpaceX facility in Texas on Monday.
Musk has previously advocated for providing Starlink access to Iranians as a way to bypass government censorship. During the 2022 protests, the Biden administration worked with Musk to enable limited Starlink connectivity in Iran, following requests from activists seeking secure communication channels amid internet restrictions.
Internet Blackout and Human Rights Concerns
Iran’s ongoing protests began on 28 December, sparked by a surge in prices and quickly evolving into demonstrations against the clerical leadership that has ruled since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Rights groups estimate that hundreds have been killed in the ensuing crackdown.
The U.S.-based Human Rights Activists News Agency (HRANA) said it had verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, with more than 10,600 people detained in just two weeks. Iranian authorities have not released an official casualty count, and Reuters has been unable to independently verify the figures.
Starlink’s Role in Conflict Zones
Starlink’s network of low-orbit satellites has been deployed in several conflict and crisis regions, including Ukraine, where it provided crucial internet access following Russia’s invasion. However, Musk has drawn criticism for restricting the service during certain Ukrainian military operations, citing concerns about escalation risks.
If activated again in Iran, Starlink could provide vital communication links for activists, journalists, and civilians affected by the blackout. However, such a move would almost certainly provoke Tehran’s ire, given its longstanding opposition to foreign technology operations on national soil.
The Trump administration has not detailed how it plans to coordinate with SpaceX or navigate the sanctions framework governing technology transfers to Iran. Nonetheless, the president’s comments suggest that discussions with Musk could begin within days, adding a new diplomatic and technological dimension to Washington’s response to the unrest.
with inputs from Reuters
