Iran's parliament has passed a new law to ban the use of any unauthorized electronic communications technology, including satellite internet Starlink. The new law makes the use of this technology a crime and imposes severe penalties. Depending on the severity of the crime, the punishment can range from imprisonment to the death penalty.


The law was approved by parliament on June 23 and made public on Saturday (June 29), according to Iran's state news agency IRNA.


Iran has been under increasing pressure over foreign influence, spy networks and information control since the 12-day conflict with Israel. The government believes that Israeli spies could use unmonitored satellite internet like Starlink to communicate with Tehran, posing a threat to national security.


According to reports, thousands of Starlink terminals were smuggled into Iran during the war so that people could stay connected during internet blackouts.


The newly passed law is called the 'Law on Increasing Punishment for Crimes Against National Security and Interests by Espionage, Cooperation with Israel and Enemy States'.


According to the law, intelligence or military cooperation with Israel or other enemy states will be considered 'corruption in the world', punishable by death.


Meanwhile, some media reports suggest that an estimated 20,000 to 40,000 Starlink devices are still active in Iran despite the ban, with most reportedly entering the country through the black market.