Elon Musk and the White House have discussed the idea of installing SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service inside Iran, according to various people involved with the negotiations.
The Biden administration is looking for ways to support the Iranian protest movement that erupted just over a month ago after Mahsa Amini, 22, died apparently after being detained by the nation's morality police. The conversations, which have not previously been reported, are taking place at this time.
Biden Administration Seeks to Use Elon Musk's Starlink
The strong attempts by the Iranian regime to censor activists' access to the internet and communication are seen by the White House as having possible solutions, according to CNN.
If a plan is implemented, Ukraine would become the second significant region this year where the US government has requested assistance from Starlink to help supply essential communications services, despite concerns about Musk's dependability in his interactions with the US government.
The White House and Musk recently engaged in a public spat over whether or not Starlink service should continue in Ukraine. Starlink has been a crucial means of communication for Ukrainian soldiers ever since Russia started its invasion in February.
After SpaceX warned the Pentagon in a letter last month that it needed government support to continue operating its service to Ukraine, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh later said at a news conference that the US was looking at "other entities that we can certainly partner with when it comes to providing Ukraine with what they need on the battlefield."
Musk raised eyebrows with recent "peace" suggestions for ending the war in Ukraine which included many pro-Russian proposals before he finally relented last week and said Starlink would keep serving Ukraine for "free," though he added a bitter remark that the company "is still losing money & other companies are getting billions of taxpayer $."
Per Forbes, Musk also said Starlink would continue to serve Ukraine for "free." The Iranian government insists that Mahsa Amini, died as a result of anything other than police killing her.
Mahsa Amini's Death Sparks Protests in Iran
After demonstrations broke out last month over the death of Mahsa Amini, the government of Iran severely restricted internet access. A top member of the US administration declared, "We have our foot on the gas to do everything we can to assist the aspirations of the Iranian people."
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, Starlink has been delivering internet connectivity to that nation using satellites to beam internet service to ground-based terminals. Last week, CNN reported that SpaceX has requested tens of millions of dollars per month from the Pentagon to support Starlink in Ukraine.
Musk tweeted that he has withdrawn the funding request after hearing about it in the news. It is unknown if Starlink is looking for money from the American government to enable it to operate in Iran.
Iran's morality police detained Amini on September 13 for "improper wearing of the hijab," and she passed away while in police detention three days later, igniting nationwide demonstrations, Voice of America reported.
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