The West Asian nation of Iran has been witnessing mass street protests against the rule of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for the past 18 days. This violent demonstration has claimed over 500 lives so far, while thousands have been arrested. In response to the escalating protests, the Khamenei regime has imposed a complete internet ban across the country. For the last 12 days, Iranians have been facing a total internet blackout and remain cut off from the rest of the world.
When the Khamenei regime first clamped down on internet access, nearly 80 million people were plunged into digital darkness. Subsequently, protesters turned to American billionaire Elon Musk’s satellite internet service Starlink, through which they began sending images and videos of their protests to the world. However, the Khamenei regime has now jammed and disabled that service as well. According to reports, initially around 30% of Starlink’s internet traffic faced disruption, but this interference has now escalated to over 80%.
USE OF ‘KILL SWITCH’ TOOL
Experts say that the Iranian religious leadership has activated a type of ‘kill switch’ tool to jam Starlink satellites. They suggest that this disruption has been achieved using highly expensive military-grade jamming equipment, which, if not manufactured domestically, may have possibly been obtained from Russia or China. Reports of internet shutdown in Iran emerged at a time when US President Donald Trump said on Sunday (US time) that he was planning to speak with Musk about restoring internet access in Iran.
WHAT IS ‘KILL SWITCH’? A COLD WAR-ERA TOOL
The term ‘kill switch’ generally refers to an emergency mechanism that immediately stops or shuts down an operation, often used in machinery or software to prevent damage. In the context of Iran’s protests, the “kill switch” is a digital tool being used by the government to shut down internet access, particularly for satellite-based services like Starlink that bypass traditional telecom networks. The kill switch tool quickly halts equipment on machines.
HOW DOES KILL SWITCH WORK?
Iran’s digital kill switch tool works by jamming signals and disrupting communication channels from space to ground. Experts say this method is more like aggressive jamming compared to a simple on-off switch, which effectively suppresses the satellite signals used by Starlink receivers. Iran’s approach goes far beyond just a blackout. Instead of simply shutting down the national internet network, authorities are blocking the signals that Starlink terminals rely on by using military-grade jamming and GPS interference.
By targeting weak satellite frequencies and GPS signals that help the system orient itself, the government can render Starlink devices useless without physically disabling the satellites. This technique is reminiscent of strategies used in conflict zones like Ukraine, where powerful jamming equipment has been documented interfering with satellite and GPS systems on the ground.
TRUMP’S STATEMENT INCREASES PRESSURE
According to reports, Trump has repeatedly warned the Khamenei regime of potential “action.” Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he would try to restore internet access in Iran by speaking with Elon Musk. Trump said, “If possible, we will get the internet turned back on. Elon is very good at this work.” Warning the Iranian government, Trump said that if the killing of peaceful protesters continues, America could take “action.” He claimed that America is “ready and vigilant.”
WHY ARE PROTESTS HAPPENING?
It is being reported that protests have now spread to more than 280 cities and towns. Protesters are demanding the resignation of the religious leadership amid poor economic conditions, inflation and unemployment. Slogans emerging even from Iran’s religious strongholds indicate widespread anger against Khamenei and his policies, including supporting terrorist groups in Gaza and Lebanon while ordinary Iranians are left to struggle daily. Protesters have also raised slogans demanding the return of Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi, who has issued statements and sought “Trump’s help” for the Iranian people in their “fight for freedom.”
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