U.S. President Donald Trump says he plans to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet access in Iran, where authorities have imposed a near-total blackout amid nationwide anti-government protests.
Speaking to reporters on Sunday (11 January), Trump said Musk’s satellite internet company Starlink could help Iranians regain access to information after services were shut down four days ago.
"He's very good at that kind of thing, he's got a very good company," Trump told reporters in response to a question about whether he would engage with Musk's SpaceX company, which offers a satellite internet service called Starlink that has been used in Iran.
The blackout has severely limited the flow of news from the country during the most serious unrest since 2022.
The protests began in late December over soaring prices but have since turned into broader demonstrations against Iran’s clerical leadership.
Rights groups estimate that hundreds of people have been killed and thousands arrested, though Iranian authorities have not released official figures.
Elon Musk has previously supported providing Starlink access to Iranians during periods of unrest. The service was used during protests in 2022, when the Biden administration worked with Musk to enable satellite internet after the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody sparked nationwide demonstrations.
Starlink has also been deployed in other conflict zones, including Ukraine, where its use has at times been controversial.
Trump and Musk have had a fluctuating relationship in recent years, but have appeared closer again in recent months. U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth is due to visit a SpaceX facility this week, underscoring renewed engagement between the company and the Trump administration.
The situation in Iran remains tense as protests continue and internet restrictions stay in place, drawing growing international attention.
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