US uses Musk’s Starlink as powerful tool in warfare

The Biden and Trump administrations have made multiple requests to SpaceX regarding the activation or deactivation of Starlink – Elon Musk's satellite communications system – in various countries, according to six former senior US officials. During Joe Biden's presidency, the requests included disabling the service to obstruct Iranian proxy militias in Yemen and Lebanon from using Starlink for communication, as well as activating it to provide internet access within Iran and Ukraine to support its military, stated four of the former officials.

Furthermore, the Trump administration had asked Musk to make the service accessible in Iran following US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, hoping it would boost internet access and communications for anti-government protesters. These prior US requests about Starlink access are being reported publicly for the first time. The recent controversy surrounding restrictions on Ukraine's use of SpaceX satellite services has sparked questions about the relationship between the US government and Musk, as US administrations have increasingly relied on a private sector company to implement foreign policy.