Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 4 hrs ago
US administrations asked Musk to change Starlink access in several countries
Former US officials say both Biden and Trump administrations asked SpaceX to change Starlink access in several countries.
SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, operates Starlink and its military version, Starshield.
Under Biden, requests included blocking the service in Yemen and Lebanon to prevent Iranian-backed groups from using it, while enabling access in Iran and Ukraine.
After US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, Trump’s administration also asked for Starlink access in Iran to support internet access for anti-government protesters.
Ukraine’s recent service limits disrupted military drones and communications, including links used to defend against Russian missile attacks.
The episode has raised concerns about how much governments and allies depend on a private company for military communications, and some European officials say Europe needs its own capabilities.
Ukraine says it wants service restored to normal speed as soon as possible; the Trump administration has acknowledged the slowdown but has not said whether it ordered it.
The Biden and Trump administrations repeatedly asked SpaceX to switch Starlink service on or off in several countries, according to six former senior US officials.
Biden-era requests included blocking access for Iranian proxy groups in Yemen and Lebanon and providing access in Iran and Ukraine.
The Trump administration sought to make Starlink available in Iran after US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026 to support protesters’ internet access and communications.
The reports have emerged amid restrictions on Ukraine’s access to Starlink and its military version, Starshield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the limits affected military drones, while the Trump administration has not said whether it ordered the slowdown.
- Who
- The Biden and Trump administrations asked SpaceX CEO Elon Musk to change Starlink access. Six former senior US officials described the requests.
- What
- Requests included turning service on or off in several countries. Recent limits on Ukraine’s access have also drawn attention.
- When
- During the Biden presidency and after US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026; Ukraine’s access was throttled in October 2026.
- Where
- Iran, Ukraine, Yemen and Lebanon.
- Why
- The requests aimed to block Iranian proxy groups from communicating, support internet access in Iran and Ukraine, and help anti-government protesters in Iran.
Ukraine and its supporters
Musk
Ukraine’s access should be restored
Ukraine and its supporters
Ukraine’s embassy spokesperson said service should return to normal speed as soon as possible because lives depend on it. Representative Jason Crow said private companies and billionaires should not decide what is best for US national security.
Musk
Musk said Starshield is owned and controlled by the US government, and that the US military and ultimately the president decide limits on speed or usage.
The administration asked SpaceX to block Starlink for Iranian proxy groups in Yemen and Lebanon and to provide access in Iran and Ukraine.
The Trump administration asked Musk to make Starlink available in Iran to support protesters’ internet access and communications.
Ukraine’s access to Starlink was throttled, and its access to Starshield was reported to have been limited.
Trump said he had not spoken with Musk about Ukraine’s Starlink access issues, and Jason Crow called for clarity about the changes.
- Former officials
- Six senior US officials described the requests
- Countries named
- Iran, Ukraine, Yemen and Lebanon
- Trump administration requests
- Starlink access in Iran after strikes in 2025 and 2026
- Ukraine access
- Starlink and Starshield service was limited in October 2026
- Ukrainian embassy spokesperson
- Halyna Yusypiuk
2 sources
What people are saying
to have the service restored to normal speed as soon as possible, as the lives of our people depend on it.
Starshield systems are owned and controlled by the US government. Any limits on speed or usage are decided by the US military and ultimately (by the president of the United States).
Unelected billionaires and private corporations should not decide what is in the best interest of America's national security.
if there is a problem, I’ll get it straightened out.