Iran has announced plans to intensify its crackdown on Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink.

Describing Starlink as a "weapon of war," Iranian authorities accused adversaries of utilizing the service for espionage and military operations.

Mohammad Amin Aghamiri, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Cybersecurity Council, stated that the country's authorities possess multiple measures to disrupt Starlink connections.

He claimed that enemies are using the service for military guidance, intelligence gathering, and espionage.

Possessing or using Starlink in Iran carries a prison sentence ranging from six months to two years, while importing or distributing its equipment is punishable by up to five years in prison.

Internet access in Iran has been subjected to two prolonged shutdowns this year.

Following the outbreak of war between the United States and Israel in February, internet connectivity remained severed for 88 consecutive days.

Although reliance on satellite internet has grown as a means to bypass government censorship, Iranian officials have warned that further restrictions could be imposed on the internet if the conflict intensifies.
Source: Al Jazeera