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US administrations asked Musk to switch Starlink on or off in multiple countries : Report

According to a Reuters report citing six former senior US officials, the Biden and Trump administrations repeatedly asked SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, to activate or restrict the Starlink satellite internet service in several countries. The requests included disabling Starlink to stop Iran-backed militias in Yemen and Lebanon from using it, and activating it to provide internet access in Iran and Ukraine. The Trump administration also asked for Starlink to be made available in Iran after US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, aiming to support anti-government protesters. Recent restrictions on Ukraine's access to SpaceX satellite services, including Starshield, have renewed concerns about Washington's reliance on a private company, while European officials see no readily available alternative. Zelenskiy said Starshield access was deliberately restricted and Starlink speeds reduced, while Musk said limits on Starshield are decided by the US military and ultimately the president.

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