US administrations asked Musk to switch Starlink on or off in Ukraine, Iran, Yemen and Lebanon

The administrations of former US President Joe Biden and incumbent President Donald Trump repeatedly asked Elon Musk's SpaceX to activate or restrict its Starlink satellite internet service in several countries, including Ukraine, Iran, Yemen and Lebanon, according to a Reuters report published on Saturday.

The previously unreported requests, described by six former senior US officials familiar with the discussions, highlight Washington's growing reliance on the private company to advance its foreign policy and national security objectives. The requests included expanding internet access for allies and anti-government protesters while preventing groups considered adversaries by the US from using the service.

During Biden's presidency, officials asked SpaceX to deactivate terminals allegedly being used by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The administration also sought to expand Starlink access for Ukrainian forces following Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 and facilitate internet connectivity in Iran during protests following the death of Mahsa Amini.

The Trump administration similarly discussed activating Starlink in Iran after US-Israeli strikes in 2025 and 2026, hoping that wider internet access would help anti-government protesters communicate.

Washington sought to restrict access for Iran-backed groups

According to Reuters, discussions between US officials and SpaceX frequently involved the White House and the Pentagon. Intelligence assessments were shared with the company to identify Starlink terminals that had allegedly reached militant groups through intermediaries.

In October 2023, amid fighting between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, US intelligence officials warned the White House that individuals linked to the Lebanese militant group might have obtained Starlink terminals.

Similar concerns emerged in 2024 during a US military campaign against the Houthis in Yemen. Former officials told Reuters that the Biden administration asked SpaceX to identify and deactivate terminals believed to be in the hands of the two groups.

At least some of the terminals were subsequently switched off, according to two former officials familiar with the matter.

The concerns centred on equipment that had allegedly reached the groups through intermediaries, raising questions about the potential diversion of satellite communications technology to organisations opposed by Washington.

In a 2024 submission to the US Commerce Department, SpaceX said it worked closely with government agencies to obtain export authorisations where required and safeguard its technology in support of national security and foreign policy objectives.

Starlink access expanded for Ukraine and Iranian protesters

The Biden administration also sought to use Starlink to support US allies and people challenging governments opposed by Washington.

Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Biden administration officials pressed SpaceX to expand Starlink coverage for the Ukrainian military, according to former officials cited by Reuters. The satellite network became an important part of Ukraine's military communications infrastructure.

In a separate instance that year, the administration asked SpaceX to activate Starlink in Iran during nationwide protests that began in September following the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested for allegedly violating Iran's rules on wearing the hijab.

One former official told Reuters that Starlink terminals were moved into Iran with the administration's assistance. The official did not disclose how many terminals entered the country.

The Trump administration later pursued a similar approach. Following US-Israeli strikes in Iran in June 2025 and February 2026, officials discussed with Musk and SpaceX the possibility of bringing Starlink terminals into the country and activating the service to support anti-government protesters.

A former senior Trump administration official and another person familiar with the discussions told Reuters that the objective was to improve internet access and communications.

Neither the Trump administration nor SpaceX has publicly confirmed that those terminals were activated. The Wall Street Journal reported in February that the US government had sent thousands of Starlink terminals into Iran.

Ukraine restrictions renew questions over Musk's influence

The revelations come amid controversy over recent restrictions affecting Ukraine's access to SpaceX's satellite communications services, particularly Starshield, the military-grade version of Starlink.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said last week that access to Starshield had been intentionally limited, affecting the performance of Ukrainian military drones. He also reported reduced Starlink speeds.

Reuters had previously reported that the order to restrict Starshield originated inside the White House. The Trump administration acknowledged the slowdown but did not publicly confirm whether it had directed the restrictions.

On Thursday, Trump reportedly contacted Musk and asked him to lift restrictions on Ukraine's use of Starlink, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The service was subsequently reported to be operating more normally, although Ukrainian officials said full access had not necessarily been restored.

Speaking to reporters on Friday, Trump said he had not spoken to Musk about the issue. "If there is a problem, I'll get it straightened out," he said.

Musk, meanwhile, said Starshield was owned and controlled by the US government, adding that decisions on usage limits ultimately rested with the US military and the president.

The disruption has raised concerns among European officials about Ukraine's dependence on SpaceX, with some arguing that Europe needs to develop its own military satellite communications capabilities. Ukraine relies heavily on Starlink for frontline communications, drone operations and defence against Russian missile attacks, with no readily available alternative offering comparable capabilities.

US Democratic Representative Jason Crow also called for greater clarity over the restrictions, warning that dependence on a private company for critical national security infrastructure raised broader concerns.

The latest revelations have intensified questions about the extent to which US administrations rely on Musk's company to implement foreign policy, and how much influence a private satellite operator can exercise over communications systems that have become strategically important in conflicts and international crises.