Musk announces the activation of Starlink services in Iran, responding to the Iranian government's comprehensive internet shutdown measures. The service provides internet access through a low Earth orbit satellite constellation (over 6,000 satellites) and requires terminal devices for connection. Devices can be smuggled in via a third country (priced at $300-500), but there are risks of signal detection and restrictions on mobile communication.

Analysis by Qin:

The essence of political maneuvering: Starlink becomes a digital intervention tool for the U.S., working with the Biden administration's sanctions exemption policy to weaken the stability of the Iranian regime. Musk personally controls the service switch (as in 2023 when he denied Ukrainian forces an attack on Crimea), creating a model of 'tech oligarch > national sovereignty.' Iran faces dual pressures of anti-government agitation (Israeli Prime Minister calls for resistance) and economic paralysis.

Risks of technological hegemony: The closed-loop system detaches from national regulation, allowing Musk to unilaterally sever the internet of other countries, sparking controversy over 'digital colonialism.' The event accelerates the low Earth orbit satellite competition among China, Europe, and Japan (UK's OneWeb/Amazon's Kuiper), forcing countries to compete for 'sky sovereignty.'

Ultimate impact: In the short term, Iran partially restores communications but strengthens terminal strikes; in the long term, low Earth orbit satellites become strategic assets for major powers. If Starlink monopolizes coverage, the U.S. will control the global internet switch—independent satellite networks (such as China's Xingnet) become the only countermeasure.