News Desk
Washington D.C., USA – President Donald Trump has indicated he will engage with Elon Musk to address the ongoing digital blackout in Iran. The announcement comes as Iran grapples with a severe and widespread internet disruption, sparking concerns from digital rights advocates and the international community.
When questioned by a reporter about leveraging Starlink technology to assist the Iranian populace, Trump responded, “We may speak to Elon (Musk) because he’s very good at that kind of thing.” He further lauded Musk’s ventures, stating, “he’s got a very good company (SpaceX),” and committed to contacting him immediately after the press interaction. This suggests a potential collaboration aimed at restoring connectivity in the beleaguered nation.
Iran has been experiencing a significant digital blackout since Thursday, January 8, 2026. Reports detail a comprehensive communications shutdown, with international calls to the country blocked and domestic mobile phone services rendered inoperable.
A History of Disruption, But This Time Worse
While internet blackouts are not unprecedented in Iran—the country faced a similar situation in 2019—the current level of disruption is described as unparalleled. Digital rights experts note that the 2026 shutdown is considerably more severe than previous instances.
Amir Rashidi, an Iranian digital rights expert, conveyed the gravity of the situation to The Guardian, stating, “There is no reception on the phones. There is no antenna. It’s like you are living in the middle of nowhere, with no BTS towers.” This vivid description paints a grim picture of isolation for Iranian citizens.
Even Starlink, the satellite internet system that provided crucial connectivity during the 2022 protests ignited by the death of Mahsa Amini, has reportedly been jammed. Rashidi confirmed to The Guardian that this vital lifeline, which had previously offered some respite from state-imposed blackouts, is currently non-functional.
A particularly striking aspect of the current blackout is the continued online presence of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), even as the general population is completely cut off. Rashidi highlighted the government’s strategic use of these platforms: “There are things that are important for the government to do. If they want to put out their propaganda they need to have access to Telegram, they need to have access to Twitter, they need to access Instagram.”
The Roots of the Outage: Protests Over Soaring Prices
According to a Reuters report, the current wave of protests in Iran commenced on December 28 of last year, sparked by a sharp increase in prices for essential goods. The unrest has tragically led to widespread casualties. HRANA, a US-based human rights organization, has verified the deaths of 490 protesters and 48 security personnel, alongside the arrest of over 10,600 individuals within the initial two weeks of demonstrations. This grim toll underscores the volatile political and social climate preceding and accompanying the internet shutdown.
Raymon Stephens
