Canada vows action against transnational repression after Iran threats
The legalization of Starlink in Iraq and the UAE may disrupt the black market for satellite internet terminals used by Iranians to bypass state censorship. By shortening supply chains and increasing availability, these legal markets could lower the high costs of accessing restricted internet services inside Iran.
Why it matters
Increased access to satellite internet is a vital tool for digital freedom and communication in countries with strict state-controlled internet access.
Within six weeks, two of Iran’s neighbors have opened their markets to the satellite internet service. Iraq authorized Starlink on July 17. The United Arab Emirates granted it a 10-year general license on Aug. 28, and public sales began on Sept. 3.
SpaceX reportedly waived subscription fees for terminals operating inside Iran during the January 2026 internet shutdown, leaving access to the illegal hardware itself as one of the main obstacles.
Until now, Starlink terminals reaching Iran have largely had to pass through black-market supply chains involving multiple intermediaries. Legal sales in two nearby countries could shorten those chains, increase the supply of terminals and ultimately drive down prices inside Iran.
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