US sought control over Starlink access worldwide via Musk for years
Photo: Elon Musk (Getty Images)
The administrations of former US President Joe Biden and current President Donald Trump have repeatedly asked American billionaire Elon Musk to enable or disable access to Starlink terminals in various countries, according to Reuters.
According to former high-ranking US officials, Washington has asked both to restrict the system's operation in certain regions and to expand its availability to support the military and provide internet connectivity.
During the Biden administration, US authorities specifically asked SpaceX to shut down Starlink to prevent its use by Iran-linked armed groups in Yemen and Lebanon.
At the same time, the administration sought to activate the service in Ukraine to expand its use by the Ukrainian military.
In October 2023, during hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah militants in southern Lebanon, intelligence briefed the White House on the possible access of individuals linked to the group to satellite terminals.
Similar concerns arose in 2024 regarding the Houthis in Yemen, when the US was conducting an air campaign against that group.
In another instance, US authorities asked SpaceX to activate Starlink in Iran during protests that began in September 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini. She was executed for improperly wearing a hijab.
According to one former official, the administration helped deliver Starlink terminals to the country, though he did not specify the number.
The Trump administration also approached Musk with a request to ensure Starlink's operation in Iran following US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026.
According to a former senior official in the Trump administration and another Reuters source, the goal was to improve internet and communications access for participants in anti-government protests.
Over the past 10 days in Ukraine, the Starlink military package has been restricted to speeds exceeding 160 km/h.
Both the administration of US President Donald Trump and Elon Musk himself have stated that they had nothing to do with this.
Today it was reported that the military Starlink service in Ukraine has resumed operation at speeds exceeding 161 km/h.
Currently, the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine is recording speeds exceeding 400 km/h, and the connection is stable.
