Trump to seek Musk’s help to restore internet access in Iran

Trump to seek Musk’s help to restore internet access in Iran is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• US President Donald Trump said he will discuss with Elon Musk using Starlink satellite internet to help restore connectivity in Iran amid widespread protests and a government-imposed blackout.
• The potential intervention occurs against the backdrop of one of Iran’s largest demonstrations in years, with internet access curtailed to disrupt communication; it underscores the rising role of satellite broadband in crisis zones.

What happened: Trump engages Musk on Iranian internet blackout

US President Donald Trump plans to speak with billionaire Elon Musk about restoring internet services in Iran, after authorities there cut connectivity amid nationwide protests. The disruption has persisted for days as demonstrations against economic hardship and political repression have grown into some of the most significant challenges to Iran’s clerical leadership since 2022.

Trump cited Musk’s expertise and his company’s satellite internet service, Starlink, as potential levers to help Iranians bypass the blackout. Starlink’s constellation of low-earth-orbit satellites has been deployed previously in crisis contexts where conventional telecom networks have failed or been restricted. Trump’s interest in the technology emerged as Iranian authorities sought to control the flow of information during the latest unrest.

Relations between Trump and Musk have fluctuated, with Musk’s backing playing a role in Trump’s political campaigns in the past and occasional policy disagreements cropping up on issues such as taxation and regulation. Nonetheless, the pair have maintained public contact, including social occasions at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and joint appearances. Musk’s SpaceX did not immediately respond to requests for comment about potential engagement on Iran.

The communications outage in Iran has been sharp: international monitoring groups and news organisations reported a sudden collapse of internet and phone services across major cities, seemingly timed to blunt protest coordination. Rights groups have reported hundreds of deaths and thousands of arrests since protests began in late December, initially in response to rising living costs and later morphing into broader anti-government demonstrations.

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Why it’s important

Trump’s overture to Musk and Starlink highlights the growing strategic significance of satellite broadband in geopolitical and humanitarian contexts. Traditional telecom networks can be shut down or throttled by governments, but satellite services like Starlink, under certain conditions, can provide alternative connectivity that is difficult to control from the ground.

In previous crises — notably in Ukraine and during protests in other regions — satellite internet has offered critical communication channels for citizens and journalists. Its potential use in Iran raises complex questions about sovereignty, international norms and the role of private technology firms in global politics.

Musk’s involvement could also reshape perceptions of SpaceX’s social and political influence. Governments increasingly view resilient connectivity as essential infrastructure, not only for commerce but for civil liberties and emergency response. How this dialogue unfolds may influence future approaches to digital rights and crisis communications in tightly controlled states.