Rezaian urges US to deploy Starlink for Iranians as conflict deepens
Jason Rezaian contends that reconnecting Iran’s 93 million citizens via satellite technology would be a cost-effective alternative to continued US-Israeli military engagement, which has triggered a nationwide blackout and heightened state repression.
Former Washington Post journalist Jason Rezaian has called on the United States to utilise satellite technology, including Starlink, to restore internet access for Iranian citizens following recent US and Israeli military strikes. Rezaian, who was imprisoned in Iran for nearly two years, argues that reconnecting the country’s 93 million people is a feasible and cost-effective alternative to continued military action, which has resulted in a nationwide blackout and increased repression by the Iranian regime.
Rezaian suggests that the US government could issue an executive order or secure a contract to deploy Starlink terminals in Iran, noting that the technology is significantly cheaper than missiles and that the US currently controls the airspace. He emphasises that most smartphones produced after 2020 or 2021 possess the capability to connect to satellite internet, requiring only a software switch to be activated.
The interview highlights a nationwide internet blackout imposed by the Iranian regime, which Rezaian describes as a key factor in the increased repression and isolation of the Iranian public. He notes that while a handful of individuals with "white SIM cards" retain access, their posts are subject to state approval, making their online activity unreliable. Rezaian asserts that the execution rate in Iran this year is as high as last year, marking the highest rate since the early 1980s.
Rezaian claims that the Trump administration has not ruled out additional strikes, although he believes President Trump is reluctant to continue the conflict due to domestic economic pain. He asserts that the Iranian regime has maintained control despite the loss of top leadership layers, including the Supreme Leader, due to a complex internal power structure and succession planning.
He describes a "meme war" on social media where pro-Iranian activists are using content such as Lego videos to counter US propaganda, which he argues is more effective and radicalising for younger audiences. Rezaian reveals that he received credible death threats after a 30-episode television series was broadcast on Iranian state TV depicting him as a fictional character, preventing his return to Iran.
The US Justice Department has closed its criminal probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell regarding cost overruns on the Fed's Washington headquarters renovations, transferring the matter to the Fed's Office of Inspector General.
BP has removed Albert Manifold from the role of chairman with immediate effect following concerns regarding his conduct.
