Iran’s Intelligence Ministry announced that it has seized electronic equipment, including Starlink satellite internet terminals, allegedly smuggled into the country for espionage and sabotage purposes. The ministry said the devices entered Iran from a “neighboring country,” without publicly naming the source.

State television footage aired by Iranian media showed dozens of intact Starlink terminals and related electronics laid out for display. Authorities claimed the equipment was intended to bypass state-controlled internet infrastructure and facilitate covert communications during the ongoing unrest.

The announcement comes amid a nationwide digital blackout imposed by Iranian authorities as protests escalated across multiple cities in January 2026. Internet monitoring groups and activists report widespread disruptions to mobile data and fixed-line connections, limiting the ability to independently verify events on the ground.

Iranian officials have increasingly pointed to satellite-based internet services as a security threat, accusing foreign actors of using them to coordinate protests and conduct intelligence operations. According to Iranian media, security forces have carried out raids to locate unauthorized satellite terminals, while the government has reportedly deployed signal-jamming systems to interfere with satellite connectivity.

While Iran has not released evidence publicly linking the seized equipment to specific foreign intelligence services, the move underscores Tehran’s broader effort to assert control over information flows during periods of domestic instability.