Musk Announces Launch of Starlink in Iran

SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk announced the launch of the Starlink satellite internet network in Iran in response to the tweet of US Secretary of State Blinken about measures "to advance internet freedom and the free flow of information" to Iranians by the US.

The US Treasury Department issued licence to expand internet services available to Iranians despite US sanctions on the country, amid protests across Iran.

A US State Department spokesperson said of the licence that it was self-executing and that "anyone who meets the criteria outlined in this general license can proceed with their activities without requesting additional permissions."

The licence will allow SpaceX to provide communications services. In response to US Secretary of State Blinken's tweet, Musk wrote:

Activating Starlink ...

Earlier, Elon Musk wrote about Starlink becoming available to users on all continents.