The Trump administration covertly moved thousands of Starlink satellite internet terminals into Iran following last month’s violent crackdown on anti-government protests, according to a report published Thursday by The Wall Street Journal.

The newspaper said the effort was designed to help regime critics maintain internet access after Iranian authorities responded to widespread demonstrations by killing thousands and sharply limiting online connectivity across the country.

U.S. officials told the Journal that this marks the first known instance in which Washington directly supplied Starlink devices inside Iran — a significant risk given that possession of the terminals is illegal there and can carry lengthy prison sentences.

The operation reflects President Donald Trump’s broader approach toward adversarial governments, combining sanctions and military deterrence with measures intended to strengthen civilians living under authoritarian systems.

According to the Journal, the State Department acquired nearly 7,000 Starlink units in recent months, most of them purchased in January, and succeeded in covertly delivering roughly 6,000 of those devices into Iran.

The funding for the purchase reportedly came after senior officials in the Trump administration reallocated money from other internet-freedom initiatives to secure the satellite equipment.

The White House declined to comment, the Journal reported.

Iranian leaders have frequently accused the United States, without presenting proof, of instigating unrest within the country.

Although American officials denied organizing last month’s protests, the Journal noted that the Starlink shipments indicate the administration has provided more tangible assistance to anti-regime elements than had previously been disclosed.

The report also pointed to an ongoing debate within the U.S. government and among digital-rights advocates over the most effective methods for bypassing state censorship.

For years, virtual private networks funded by the United States have enabled millions of Iranians to circumvent government-imposed firewalls and access outside information.

However, officials cited in the Journal said VPNs lose effectiveness during sweeping internet blackouts, making satellite-based systems like Starlink — despite the dangers involved — one of the few viable options for maintaining connectivity.

Some technology experts cautioned that Starlink use, without added safeguards, could expose users to detection, and argued that resources should not be shifted away from VPN providers.

The Journal reported that after the State Department redirected funding to support the Starlink effort, financial backing lapsed for two of the five VPN services operating in Iran.

The covert initiative comes as Trump remains engaged in sensitive negotiations with Tehran aimed at dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Iran has maintained its position that uranium enrichment will continue, while the Trump administration has insisted on eliminating any route toward a nuclear weapon.

The Journal reported that if diplomacy collapses, Trump could approve military action, with U.S. forces already deployed in the Middle East.

Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu in Washington on Wednesday to discuss the Iranian threat.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump expressed hope for a negotiated outcome but cautioned, “If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”

{Matzav.com}