Elon Musk has stepped in to support the Iranian people by turning on Starlink internet service after the Iranian government shut down internet access. This move aims to help Iranians stay informed about recent military actions by Israel against the regime and to empower them to organize and challenge their government.
Musk confirmed the activation of Starlink in a response to Fox News host Mark Levin. Levin had pointed out that Musk’s initiative could significantly impact the Iranian regime, which has cut off internet access to prevent citizens from organizing a coup. Musk simply stated, “The beams are on,” indicating that the service was operational.
The backdrop to this situation includes recent Israeli military strikes on Iran, which have been met with support from Iranian dissidents. Faezeh Alavi, an Iranian scholar and filmmaker, expressed her agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments directed at the Iranian people. Netanyahu stated that Israel’s conflict is not with the citizens of Iran but with the oppressive regime that has ruled for decades. Alavi echoed this sentiment on social media, urging the international community to act against Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Some Iranian scholars, like Professor Afshin Ellian, have called for the removal of key figures in the Iranian government, suggesting that only their deaths would lead to a quicker end to the regime’s oppressive rule. He believes that without such changes, both Iranians and Israelis will face prolonged suffering.
Exiled Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi has also encouraged Iranians to rise up against the Islamic Republic through protests and strikes. He criticized the current leadership for dragging the nation into conflict, framing the war as one against the regime rather than the Iranian people.
Dissident Masih Alinejad highlighted the tragic consequences of the regime’s ongoing conflict with Israel. She pointed out that the Iranian people’s lives are at stake in a war that they did not choose and that brings only destruction and suffering.
As the situation unfolds, the activation of Starlink could provide a crucial lifeline for Iranians seeking to communicate and organize amid the regime’s attempts to suppress dissent. The hope is that increased access to information will empower the citizens to challenge the status quo and seek change.