Iran Criminalizes Starlink Use, Imposes Death Penalty for Ties with Israel, US

Iran’s parliament on Tuesday passed legislation imposing the death penalty for collaboration with Israel and other “hostile” nations, while also banning the use of satellite internet services such as Starlink.

The law classifies intelligence activities, espionage, or operational cooperation with Israel, the United States, or other hostile countries as “corruption on Earth,” a charge punishable by death in Iran.

Providing military, financial, or technological support to Israel is also defined as a capital offense.

Possession, purchase, or sale of unauthorized communication tools, including Starlink devices, carries a prison sentence of six months to two years.

Manufacturing or importing more than ten such devices increases the punishment to five to ten years in prison.

The legislation also lists collaboration activities including manufacturing military drones, conducting cyberattacks, or sabotaging infrastructure for enemy states as punishable by death, even if ineffective.

Publishing false news or producing content that causes “division, public fear, or threatens national security” can result in 10 to 15 years of imprisonment.

Sending images or videos to foreign media outlets that “affect public morale” carries a sentence of two to five years.

Participation in “illegal” gatherings during wartime is punishable by five to ten years in prison.

Source: Iran Wire, Staff, July 1, 2025

"One is absolutely sickened, not by the crimes that the wicked have committed,
but by the punishments that the good have inflicted."

— Oscar Wilde

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